Artwork

A Selection of Twenty of the Most Picturesque Views in Paris: The Water Works at Marli, and St. Germain en Laye seen in the distance

A Selection of Twenty of the Most Picturesque Views in Paris: The Water Works at Marli, and St. Germain en Laye seen in the distance is a print by the Romanticist artist Girtin. It is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This watercolor, part of a series titled *A Selection of Twenty of the Most Picturesque Views in Paris*, depicts a broad, mist‑filled river.

About this work

Overview

This watercolor, part of a series titled *A Selection of Twenty of the Most Picturesque Views in Paris*, depicts a broad, mist‑filled river. A stone waterworks occupies the left foreground while a pale castle rises on the distant bank, all rendered in delicate washes that suggest depth without heavy brushwork.

Subject & Meaning

The composition presents a tranquil riverscape that emphasizes the interplay of water, architecture, and atmospheric light. By reducing the scene to simple, monumental forms, the artist invites contemplation of the landscape’s serene character rather than narrative detail.

Technique & Style

The artist employed watercolor in a manner traditionally associated with oil painting, layering translucent washes to achieve tonal richness. Overlapping blues create a luminous sky, and the subtle gradations of tone echo the sfumato effect, softening edges and unifying the scene.

History & Provenance

Created after a brief French visit made possible by the 1801 Peace of Amiens, the work derives from on‑site graphite sketches of Paris and its surroundings. Following the artist’s death from tuberculosis, the series was issued by his widow and brother, ensuring its circulation among early 19th‑century audiences.

Artist & collection

Artist

Girtin

Thomas Girtin (18 February 1775 – 9 November 1802) was an English watercolourist and etcher. A friend and rival of J. M. W. Turner, Girtin played a key role in establishing watercolour as a reputable art form.