Artwork
By the Riverside
By the Riverside is an oil painting by Henry Lerolle. It dates from 1898 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. Created circa 1898, this oil on canvas portrays a quiet riverside scene.
About this work
The woman on the left is wearing a long dress and carrying a bundle on her back, while the woman on the right is holding the baby.
The painting depicts two women and a baby standing on a dirt path beside a river. The woman on the left is wearing a long dress and carrying a bundle on her back, while the woman on the right is holding the baby. In the background, there are trees, a body of water, and a cloudy sky.
The scene appears to be set in a rural area, possibly during the late 19th or early 20th century. The women's clothing and the landscape suggest a peaceful and serene atmosphere.
The painting's use of muted colors and soft brushstrokes creates a sense of calmness and tranquility. The artist's attention to detail in capturing the textures of the clothing and the landscape adds depth and realism to the scene. To learn more about the artist's technique, explore the use of glazing in his work.
Overview
Created circa 1898, this oil on canvas portrays a quiet riverside scene. Two women and an infant stand on a modest earthen path beside flowing water, framed by distant trees and a cloud‑filled sky. The composition conveys a gentle, pastoral atmosphere, emphasizing the simple rhythms of rural life in the late nineteenth century.
Subject & Meaning
The central figures—a woman bearing a bundle, a second woman cradling a baby—suggest daily tasks and familial care within a countryside setting. Their modest attire and the unadorned landscape evoke themes of labor, motherhood, and the enduring connection between people and the natural environment.
Technique & Style
Lerolle employs a restrained palette of muted tones, allowing soft, blended brushwork to render the textures of fabric, earth, and foliage. The delicate handling of light across the sky and water creates a sense of atmospheric calm, while the precise rendering of details lends the scene a realistic yet lyrical quality.
History & Provenance
French artist Henry Lerolle, born in Paris in 1848 and trained under Louis Lamothe after studying at the Académie Suisse, painted this work during a prolific period that included Salon exhibitions and public mural commissions. The canvas entered the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, where it remains on display.
Artist & collection
Artist
Henry Lerolle (3 October 1848 – 22 April 1929) was a French painter, art collector and patron, born in Paris.
