“The Great Bridge, Rouen” is an esteemed artwork by Camille Pissarro, a renowned artist of the Impressionist movement. The piece was crafted in 1896 using oil on canvas, portraying the cityscape genre. The painting’s dimensions are 74.1 cm in height by 92.1 cm in width. It is currently housed in the Carnegie Museum of Art, located in Pittsburgh, PA, US.
The artwork captures the bustling activity of Rouen through a vista that includes the city’s iconic bridge. The bridge gracefully arches over the shimmering river, a focal point amidst the flanking buildings that exhibit classic architectural styles. Lively brushstrokes and dappled color, hallmarks of the Impressionist technique, give a sense of movement and light play across the water’s surface and sky. Also noticeable is the hints of industrialism showcased by the plumes of smoke rising into the overcast sky, perhaps chronicling the transition of the city during this era. Viewing from the foreground towards the background, one can observe figures engaged in daily labor along the riverbank and on the boats, bustling with the river’s commerce. Pissarro’s work distinctively captures a moment in time, reflecting both the beauty of the urban landscape and the vibrancy of city life in late 19th-century France.
