Artwork

Rue du gros-horloge, Rouen

Rue du gros-horloge, Rouen, by Richard Parkes Bonington, ink, 1824
Rue du gros-horloge, Rouen, by Richard Parkes Bonington, ink, 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.

About this work

Overview

Rue du gros-horloge, Rouen is a 1824 lithograph by Richard Parkes Bonington, an English Romantic artist active in France. The print captures a lively street scene in Rouen, blending architectural detail with expressive, atmospheric qualities.

Subject & Meaning

The work depicts a bustling Rouen street, emphasizing the interplay between the city's ornate architecture and the dynamism of everyday life. The scene conveys a sense of energy and immediacy.

Technique & Style

Bonington's lithograph showcases his fluid technique and mastery of light. Warm, earthy tones for the buildings contrast with cooler sky hues, creating depth and visual vitality. His style fuses English and French Romantic influences.

History & Provenance

Created in 1824, the lithograph reflects Bonington's contribution to the Romantic movement's focus on mood and setting. Specific provenance details are not provided.

Context

Rue du gros-horloge, Rouen situates itself within the broader Romantic movement, which emphasized emotional resonance and environmental immersion. The work can be contextualized alongside other Romantic urban and landscape depictions.

Legacy

As part of Bonington's oeuvre, the lithograph influences the development of Romantic printmaking and the capture of urban life in 19th-century art. Its blend of architectural precision and atmospheric effect continues to inform artistic representations of cityscapes.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Richard Parkes Bonington

Artist

Richard Parkes Bonington

Richard Parkes Bonington (25 October 1802 – 23 September 1828) was an English Romantic landscape painter.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.