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CLAUDE MONET

RAILROAD BRIDGE, ARGENTEUIL, 1874

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About the Artwork

A small sailboat drifts along the water in this tranquil scene. Warm, golden light brightens the bridge’s white pillars and the boat’s sail. Their reflections in the water add pink, yellow, and orange hues to the blue of the river. Along the top of the bridge, a train chugs along, letting out puffs of smoke that drift across the sky. A gentle wind pushes the boat across the calm river below.

Claude Monet enjoyed painting the outdoors directly from observation. He appreciated the variety of colors in the sky, water, plants, and trees, especially those seen at sunrise and sunset. Notice the deep greens, blues, and purples in the grassy riverbank, and the blues and yellows in the train’s smoke. Monet had to work quickly to capture the color and light as he saw it, since both frequently change as time passes. Look closely and you’ll see the many short, quick brushstrokes that make up the grass, trees, water, and clouds. This style of painting is known as Impressionism.

This painting shows the Seine River in the town of Argenteuil , located just outside Paris. Monet lived there when he painted this picture, so he didn’t have to travel far to observe this scenic spot. At that time, the railroad service was expanding, and it became easier for city dwellers to take weekend trips to the nearby countryside. Perhaps the tiny figures in the boat are enjoying time away from the faster pace of urban life.

About the Artist

“Monet is only an eye, but by God what an eye!” exclaimed Paul Cézanne (French, 1840–1926) of his friend and fellow artist. In a career spanning nearly seventy years and 2,000 canvases, Monet turned his powers of observation to the natural world around him. Setting up his easel at various locations across France, he wrestled with winds, hot and cold temperatures, and constantly changing atmospheric conditions in his efforts to capture in paint the effects of weather, sunlight, and the seasons on the landscape.

Source: Philadelphia Museum of Art

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About Our Prints

Quality
Philadelphia Museum of Art Custom Prints offers exclusive custom reproductions of artworks in the collections of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Hand-made in the USA using gallery-quality materials, we create prints as true to the original work as possible, using strict color management protocols and state-of-the-art printing technology.
Selection
Many of the works offered through this store are exclusive and not available anywhere else. In addition, new works are continually added to the offering so make sure to come back and see the new releases.
Customization
You have found the work that speaks to you. Now what? Using our innovative custom framing tool you can preview exactly what your finished and framed art will look like. We offer many different moulding styles so there is sure to be a match for any type of decor.

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As always, members will receive their discount for all transactions processed through our Custom Prints store. Simply enter your Member ID during the checkout process and your discount will be applied.