Artwork
Bergues: La Tour du marché
Bergues: La Tour du marché is a print by the Romanticist artist Richard Parkes Bonington. It dates from 1824 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Bergues: La Tour du marché is a 1824 print by Richard Parkes Bonington, an English Romantic landscape painter active in France. The work captures a serene, foggy street scene in Bergues, centered around a prominent clock tower.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts everyday life in Bergues, with figures in period clothing engaging in quiet activities amidst simple, traditional architecture. The dominant clock tower, resembling old European church design, adds a sense of time and community to the tranquil scene.
Technique & Style
Bonington’s blend of traditional technical precision with a modern, nuanced approach to light and atmosphere is evident. Soft, foggy effects and the emphasis on the tower’s verticality reflect his characteristic luminous and spatial techniques.
History & Provenance
Created in 1824, the print is now part of The Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection, highlighting Bonington’s influence despite his short career.
Context
Part of the Romantic landscape tradition, this work aligns with Bonington’s focus on coastal and everyday scenes, often featuring low horizons and expansive, atmospheric skies.
Artist & collection
Artist
Richard Parkes Bonington (25 October 1802 – 23 September 1828) was an English Romantic landscape painter.
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Topographical drawing
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Vue general de l'Église St. Gervais et St. Protais à Gisors
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