Artwork

Fan, The Seine seen from the Pont Royal (Éventail, La Seine vue du Pont Royal)

Eugène Béjot , 1901

Fan, The Seine seen from the Pont Royal (Éventail, La Seine vue du Pont Royal) is a print by Eugène Béjot. It dates from 1901 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

This image is a half-circle fan with a black-and-white drawing of a river and bridge.

This image is a half-circle fan with a black-and-white drawing of a river and bridge. Trees line the riverbank on the left, and buildings stretch across the right side. The water looks choppy, and a small boat sits near the center.

The artist used quick, sketchy lines to show movement in the water and trees. The fan’s shape makes the scene feel like a snapshot from a specific viewpoint.

Check out Eugène Bejot (French, 1867–1931) for more of his work.

Overview

Eugène Bejot’s 1901 print, titled *Fan, The Seine seen from the Pont Royal*, is a fan‑shaped work that captures a brief view of Paris’s river scene. The piece is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection and presents a monochrome depiction of the Seine framed by the Pont Royal.

Subject & Meaning

The image portrays the Seine as it flows beneath the Pont Royal, flanked on the left by a line of trees and on the right by a row of urban buildings. A small boat drifts near the centre, suggesting everyday river traffic, while the choppy water conveys a sense of movement and transience.

Technique & Style

Bejot employs swift, gestural lines that give the impression of immediacy, especially in the rendering of water ripples and foliage. The fan’s semicircular format reinforces the feeling of a momentary glance, and the black‑and‑white palette emphasizes contrast between the architectural forms and the natural elements.

History & Provenance

Created at the turn of the twentieth century, the work reflects Bejot’s interest in urban landscapes and the popular fan format of the period. It entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition, where it remains displayed as an example of early modern French printmaking.