“The Saint Sever Quay, Rouen” is an exquisite oil on canvas painting by Camille Pissarro, dated 1896. This artwork belongs to the Impressionism movement and is a cityscape genre painting, measuring 73 x 92 cm. The artwork is part of a private collection. Pissarro’s work captures the vitality and atmosphere of the bustling quay in Rouen.
The artwork depicts a lively river scene with a view of the Saint Sever Quay in Rouen. The Seine River shimmers in dappled light, reflecting the sky and the industrial activity along the banks. Small boats are present on the water, with figures attending to various tasks. On the right, one can see the dense architecture of the city, punctuated by the tall chimneys of factories, one of which emits a substantial plume of dark smoke into the cloudy sky. The sky itself is painted with a mixture of soft and warm hues, giving the impression of a dynamic, changing atmosphere. Pissarro’s brushstrokes convey the transient light and color of the scene, characteristic of the Impressionist style, which sought to capture the momentary sensory effects rather than the details of the subjects. Overall, the artwork reflects an industrial yet poetic interpretation of urban life at the close of the 19th century.
