Artwork
Selection of Twenty of the Most Picturesque Views in Paris:View of Pont au Change
Selection of Twenty of the Most Picturesque Views in Paris:View of Pont au Change 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
Thomas Girtin's 'Selection of Twenty of the Most Picturesque Views in Paris: View of Pont au Change' is a print created in 1802, showcasing his skill as a British watercolourist and etcher.
Subject & Meaning
The work depicts a serene Parisian cityscape, focusing on Pont au Change, with a stone bridge, horse-drawn cart, and grand buildings lining the riverbank, including a clock tower and a pointed roof.
Technique & Style
Girtin employed chiaroscuro, manipulating light and shadow to create depth, making certain areas appear almost three-dimensional, a technique common in early sketches for conveying dimensionality.
History & Provenance
The print is part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection, reflecting Girtin's contribution to elevating watercolour as a respected medium, amidst his notable rivalry with J. M. W. Turner.
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 au Change, the City Theatre, Pont Neuf, Conciergerie Prison, and taken from Pont Notre Dame
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
Le Pont-au-Change, Paris
Le Pont-au-Change, Paris
A Selection of Twenty of the Most Picturesque Views in Paris: View of Pont Neuf, and the Mint
Le Pont-au-Change
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 the Pantheon taken from the Arsenal
View of the Pont au Change and the Palais de Justice, Paris
Le Pont-au-Change, Paris
A Selection of Twenty of the Most Picturesque Views in Paris: View of the Palace and Village of Choisi on the Banks of the Seine