“The Seine below the Pont d’Lena” is an artwork by Berthe Morisot, a renowned artist closely associated with the Impressionist movement. Created in 1866, the piece is crafted with oil on canvas, showcasing Morisot’s proficiency in the Impressionist technique and her inclination towards landscape subjects. Currently, the painting is part of a private collection. It exemplifies the aesthetic tenets of Impressionism, especially its focus on the play of light and naturalistic representation of its subject matter.
The artwork captures a serene and thoughtful view of the Seine River as it flows beneath the Pont d’Lena in Paris. The composition is anchored by the elegant arches of the stone bridge in the middle distance, which draw the eye across the lush depiction of the water. Moored boats populate the foreground, adding a dynamic human element to the tranquil scene, and the reflections on the Seine’s surface contribute to a sense of peaceful fluidity. The sky above is a mottled canvas of clouds, with the soft light suggesting either early morning or late afternoon; customary of the Impressionist fascination with the effects of light at different times of day. The brushwork is visible and lively, characteristic of the movement’s signature style, seeking to capture a momentary impression rather than a detailed, exact representation. Along the riverbank, small figures can be discerned, which adds scale and life to the idyllic riverscape.
