Who painted On the Seine near Les Andelys?

On the Seine near Les Andelys was painted by Henry Moore in 1948.

Where can I see On the Seine near Les Andelys?

On the Seine near Les Andelys is held by Ashmolean Museum.

On the Seine near Les Andelys by Henry Moore (1948)

About this work

Overview

Though executed in paint, the work carries the same sensibility of abstraction and simplification found in his three-dimensional pieces.

Created in 1948, *On the Seine near Les Andelys* is an oil painting by Henry Moore, distinct from his better-known sculptural works. It captures a riverside landscape near the Normandy town of Les Andelys, rendered through Moore’s signature approach of reducing forms to essential, organic shapes. Though executed in paint, the work carries the same sensibility of abstraction and simplification found in his three-dimensional pieces.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts a quiet stretch of the Seine, with rolling hills and water subtly suggested through layered, softened contours. While not a literal representation, the forms evoke the human figure—particularly the reclining pose common in Moore’s sculptures—blending landscape and anatomy. The subject resists clear definition, inviting contemplation of nature’s quiet rhythms rather than narrative detail.

Technique & Style

Moore applied oil paint in thin, translucent washes, allowing underlying layers to show through and create a sense of atmospheric depth. Forms are simplified into flowing, biomorphic shapes, avoiding sharp edges or precise detail. His brushwork is deliberate yet loose, emphasizing texture and tone over realism, aligning with his broader interest in organic abstraction.

History & Provenance

Painted during Moore’s summer stay in Normandy, the work emerged from a period of renewed focus on landscape and drawing. It was likely created as a personal study, not commissioned. The painting remained in Moore’s possession until his death, later entering a public collection through his estate, preserving its connection to his artistic development.

Context

In the late 1940s, Moore was increasingly recognized for his sculptures, but continued to produce paintings and drawings as a means of exploration. *On the Seine near Les Andelys* reflects his engagement with post-war European landscape traditions, filtered through his unique visual language. It stands as part of a broader body of work where nature served as a conduit for formal experimentation.

Legacy

Though less prominent than his bronze sculptures, this painting illustrates Moore’s consistent commitment to abstraction across media. It demonstrates how his approach to form—rooted in observation yet liberated from literalism—extended beyond sculpture into painting. The work remains a quiet testament to his belief in the expressive potential of simplified, natural shapes.