Artwork
A Street in Montmartre
A Street in Montmartre is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Olof Hermelin. It dates from 1875 and is held in the collection of the Nationalmuseum.
About this work
Overview
A Street in Montmartre is an 1875 oil painting by Swedish artist Olof Hermelin, associated with the Impressionist movement. The work captures a typical Parisian street scene, now part of the Nationalmuseum's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The painting portrays a quiet moment in a narrow Montmartre street, focusing on a man walking with his dog amidst surrounding buildings, a tree, and a distant, hazy cityscape. The scene conveys everyday life in late 19th-century Paris.
Technique & Style
Hermelin employed loose, expressive brushstrokes and a muted color palette dominated by browns and grays. The use of chiaroscuro creates depth by contrasting light and dark areas, adding a sense of energy and dimensionality to the composition.
History & Provenance
Created in 1875, the painting is part of the Nationalmuseum's collection, highlighting its recognized value within Swedish cultural institutions.
Context
While Hermelin was part of the broader Impressionist movement, this work reflects a more subdued interpretation, focusing on capturing the mundane aspects of urban life in Montmartre during the late 19th century.
Legacy
A Street in Montmartre contributes to the historical representation of Parisian life during the Impressionist era, offering insights into the daily scenes that characterized the period, though it does not significantly deviate from common Impressionist themes.
Artist & collection
Artist
Olof Hermelin (8 February 1827, in Säby Parish, Småland – 3 December 1913, in Stocksund) was a Swedish painter, author and landowner.
