Artwork
Paris from Pere Lachaise
Paris from Pere Lachaise is an oil painting by Richard Parkes Bonington. It dates from 1825 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Richard Parkes Bonington’s oil painting, dated around 1825, presents a view from the Père Lachaise cemetery toward the city of Paris. A solitary tree occupies the foreground, framing a modest skyline under a light, cloud‑dotted sky. The composition balances natural and urban elements, offering a tranquil perspective on the capital’s outskirts.
Subject & Meaning
The work captures a moment of quiet observation, juxtaposing the solemnity of the cemetery’s foliage with the distant bustle of Paris. By placing the viewer within the cemetery’s boundary, Bonington invites contemplation of the relationship between mortality and the ongoing life of the city beyond.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil, the painting employs a palette of muted blues, greens, and ochres to convey atmospheric depth. Visible brushwork creates a sense of movement in the foliage and sky, while subtle chiaroscuro models forms and suggests the time of day. The low horizon and expansive sky reflect Romantic landscape conventions.
History & Provenance
Created during Bonington’s productive period in France, the canvas later entered the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s interest in 19th‑century European painting and the artist’s cross‑Channel reputation.
Artist & collection
Artist
Richard Parkes Bonington (25 October 1802 – 23 September 1828) was an English Romantic landscape painter.
