Who painted Rue du gros-horloge, Rouen?

Rue du gros-horloge, Rouen was painted by Richard Parkes Bonington in 1824.

Where can I see Rue du gros-horloge, Rouen?

Rue du gros-horloge, Rouen is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Rue du gros-horloge, Rouen?

Rue du gros-horloge, Rouen is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Rue du gros-horloge, Rouen

Richard Parkes Bonington , 1824

Rue du gros-horloge, Rouen is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Richard Parkes Bonington. It dates from 1824 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1824, the lithograph *Rue du Gros‑Horloge, Rouen* presents a bustling urban scene from the French city of Rouen.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1824, the lithograph *Rue du Gros‑Horloge, Rouen* presents a bustling urban scene from the French city of Rouen. The composition is dominated by a long street flanked by tall façades, a prominent clock tower in the distance, and a crowd animated by flags and everyday activity. The work reflects the artist’s interest in capturing the atmosphere of public spaces.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a lively street festival or public gathering, indicated by the numerous flags and groups of figures conversing and moving about. Architectural details such as carved balconies and a towering clock suggest a central civic location, while the concentration of people around a central cart or table conveys a moment of communal celebration within the city’s daily rhythm.

Technique & Style

Bonington’s handling of the medium emphasizes tonal contrast and atmospheric effects, hallmarks of his broader Romantic approach.

Executed in lithography, the image employs a rapid, sketch‑like line that conveys movement and light. Bonington’s handling of the medium emphasizes tonal contrast and atmospheric effects, hallmarks of his broader Romantic approach. The loose rendering of figures and architecture creates a sense of immediacy, aligning the work with early‑19th‑century printmaking practices that favored spontaneity over meticulous detail.

History & Provenance

Richard Parkes Bonington, an English painter active in France, produced this lithograph during his brief but prolific career. Though primarily known for Romantic landscapes, he applied his sensitivity to light to urban subjects as well. Bonington died at the age of twenty‑six, yet his cross‑cultural style continued to influence subsequent British artists, and the print remains a documented example of his printmaking output.