“The Seine in Flood, Rouen” is an oil on canvas artwork by Camille Pissarro, completed in 1896, during the Impressionist movement. The artwork measures 55 x 65.5 cm and falls under the cityscape genre. It is currently held in a private collection.
The artwork captures a vista of the Seine River as it swells and overflows its banks in Rouen, a city in northern France. Pissarro’s technique is reflective of the Impressionist movement, characterized by loose brushwork and an interest in capturing the effects of light and atmosphere. The palette is predominantly muted, with a harmonious interplay of natural and industrial elements. The composition is bustling with maritime activity, featuring boats navigating the swollen waters and figures busily moving along the quayside. Architectural structures line the riverbank, enveloped in a hazy, diffused light that suggests the transient quality of the moment. The artwork is a testament to Pissarro’s skill in portraying the dynamism of urban life melded with the forces of nature.
