Artwork
A Selection of Twenty of the Most Picturesque Views in Paris: View of the Pont de la Tournelle & Notre Dame Taken from the Arsenal
A Selection of Twenty of the Most Picturesque Views in Paris: View of the Pont de la Tournelle & Notre Dame Taken from the Arsenal is a print by the Romanticist artist Girtin. It dates from 1802 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1802, this watercolour presents a view of Paris’s Pont de la Tournelle spanning the Seine, with the cathedral of Notre‑Dame rising behind it. The perspective is taken from the Arsenal, offering a broad sweep of the river, the stone bridge and the city’s skyline under a muted sky.
Subject & Meaning
The composition captures a tranquil moment in the capital, emphasizing the harmonious relationship between architecture and water. The towering twin spires of Notre‑Dame dominate the background, while the bridge and surrounding buildings suggest the everyday flow of urban life, inviting contemplation of Paris’s historic core.
Technique & Style
Executed in delicate watercolour washes, the artist employs soft, blended tones to render clouds and reflections, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. Fine brushwork defines architectural details, while broader strokes suggest the river’s surface, reflecting the Romantic interest in mood and the fleeting qualities of light.
History & Provenance
The print is part of a series titled “A Selection of Twenty of the Most Picturesque Views in Paris,” produced by British watercolourist Thomas Girtin. After changing hands among private collectors, the work entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection, where it remains on display.
Context
Girtin, a contemporary of J. M. W. Turner, was instrumental in raising watercolour to a status comparable to oil painting in the early nineteenth century. This Parisian view reflects the period’s fascination with travel and the picturesque, aligning with broader Romantic trends that valued atmospheric effects and historic scenery.
Artist & collection
Artist
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.
A Selection of Twenty of the Most Picturesque Views in Paris: View of Pont Neuf, part of the Louvre, Notre Dame, and the College of Four Nations
View of Pont de la Tournelle and Notre Dame Taken from the Arsnel: pl.11
A Selection of Twenty of the Most Picturesque Views in Paris: View of Pont au Change, the City Theatre, Pont Neuf, Conciergerie Prison, &c taken from Pont Notre Dame
A Selection of Twenty of the Most Picturesque Views in Paris: View of Pont Neuf, and the Mint
A Selection of Twenty of the Most Picturesque Views in Paris
A Selection of Twenty of the Most Picturesque Views in Paris: View of the Tuilleries and Bridge and taken from Pont de la Concorde
A Selection of Twenty of the Most Picturesque Views in Paris: View of the Village of Chaillot, &c Taken from Pont de la Concorde
A View of Paris with the Ile de la Cité
Selection of Twenty of the Most Picturesque Views in Paris:View of Pont au Change