The artwork “Waterloo Bridge, Hazy Sunshine” was created by the renowned French artist Claude Monet in 1903. This piece is an oil on canvas that measures 100.7 cm in height and 65.1 cm in width. It depicts the genre of cityscape, specifically illustrating the Waterloo Bridge. The masterpiece belongs to the Impressionism movement, a style characterized by its vivid colors, visible brushstrokes, and emphasis on capturing light and its changing qualities. The painting is part of the “Waterloo Bridge” series and is currently held in a private collection.
In the artwork, Monet presents a view of the Waterloo Bridge under the delicate light of hazy sunshine. The brushwork is loose and expressive, a hallmark of Impressionism, enabling the infusion of atmosphere and light into the scene. The color palette is dominated by soft purples, blues, and hints of warmer hues, suggesting the sun’s presence behind the mist. The bridge’s arches are discernible, but like much of the details in the painting, they are gracefully obscured by the hazy atmospheric conditions. A boat with its sails, softly rendered, can be observed on the water, adding a sense of life and movement to the otherwise tranquil setting. Despite the industrial background’s presence, Monet’s focus on light and color underscores the captivating interplay between the urban landscape and the ephemeral qualities of light and weather. This intangible essence is encapsulated masterfully, inviting contemplation and appreciation for a fleeting moment captured in perpetuity.
