Cityscape, the New Bridge, 1928: Work on the River Bank, Paris in the Morning Light French Impressionist Oil on Canvas

I try not to buy too many views of Paris, as I am aware that not all of you are as attached to the the city as I am. However, this bright, dynamic and fun view of the Seine and its banks by French Impressionist Gustave Madelain (1867-1944) proved irresistible. Madelain is known for his scenes of Montmartre and the Left Bank of the Seine that show architectural subjects depicted and observed with a subtle palette full of tones, and the present work is a particularly fine example of his work.

The Lutetian limestome which which Paris was largely built reflects the sun in a way that gives a light so pure that it is almost white. He present picture renders this perfectly. The work is actually titled "Effects of the haze", but what we see is how the sun is making a dent on it.

Our painting depicts work on the banks of the Seine at the heart of the city, in the 1920s. As a fellow Brit in Paris put it recently, this was ''the HS2 of its time'' and the source of fascination for Parisiens. The bridge you is the newly constructed Pont de la Tournelle, connecting the Ile Saint Louis with the Rive Gauche.

Designed by the architects Pierre and Louis Guidetti and built from 1924 to 1928 in reinforced concrete covered with stone, it is deliberately asymmetrical, in order to highlight the asymmetry of the Seine landscape at this location. Madelain's excitement about the feats of modern engineering are palpable. He clearly enjoyed depicting the changing cityscape.Our painting would have been painted shortly after the bridge was completed, in 1928.

Born in Charly sur Marne, Gustave Madelain studied in Paris and from 1907 exhibited successfully at the Salon des Indépendants where he received numerous awards. His Paris views are notably in the Collections of the Musée Carnavalet, Our oil on Mahogany panel measures 31 x 50 cm and is signed at the lower right. It is also signed and titled to the reverse.

Elegantly framed, the overall size is 53 x 72 cm.

Nous parlons français, und wir sprechen auch Deutsch! Paintings may be viewed in Norwich and in Paris, as well as in London and Cambridge by appointment. Please contact us if you would like further details and images of an artwork.