The artwork entitled “Saint-Sever Port, Rouen” was painted by Camille Pissarro in 1896. This oil on canvas composition reflects the characteristics of the Impressionist movement and depicts a cityscape scene. The piece measures 92 by 65 centimeters and is currently held at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, France.
The view presented in the artwork captures an atmospheric scene of the Saint-Sever Port in Rouen, with emphasis on the quality of light and its effects on the landscape—a hallmark of Impressionist art. Pissarro has employed a palette of muted colors to create a sense of haze and industrial smoke that blends into the sky and reflects on the water’s surface, a testament to the industrial atmosphere of the period. Various boats and barges are dotted along the river, providing a sense of daily activity and commerce. The port’s buildings line the far shore, their forms loosely defined and integrated into the overall texture of the canvas. In the foreground, there appear to be figures in a small boat, further establishing the human element within this bustling port environment. The brushwork is visible and dynamic, with quick, impasto strokes contributing to the sense of movement and vibrancy within this urban setting.
