The artwork “Waterloo Bridge, Dawn” was created by the renowned French artist Claude Monet between the years 1899 and 1901. It is part of a series focused on the Waterloo Bridge and belongs to the Impressionist movement, characterized by its innovative approach to capturing light and atmosphere. Monet’s piece is categorized as a cityscape, offering a visual narrative of urban life and the built environment at the turn of the 20th century.
The artwork itself exudes the essence of Impressionism, emphasizing the fleeting effects of light and color over distinct outlines and forms. Monet’s masterful use of varying tones of green and smudges of blue suggests the mist-covered atmosphere of the River Thames at dawn. Layers of brushstrokes create a sense of depth and movement in the composition, with the bridge arches faintly visible through the hazy light. The reflection of the bridge on the water is gently suggested rather than explicitly detailed, capturing the ephemeral quality of the moment. Small dabs of yellow and white imply the presence of distant lights or activity, enlivening the scene without drawing focus away from the overall mood of serene tranquility. This particular work exemplifies Monet’s preoccupation with how changes in light and weather could transform the appearance of a single subject.
