Bridge of Courbevoie

The Bridge of Courbevoie dates from around 1880 and reflects Seurat's close observation of the industrial and suburban Seine landscape northwest of Paris. Courbevoie and the neighbouring island of La Grande Jatte provided subjects for several of his most celebrated compositions. In this early work the bridge's geometric span orders the scene with an architectural stillness that anticipates his mature style. The quiet working river, its embankments, and distant factory chimneys would recur throughout his career as symbols of modern Parisian life. The Courtauld Gallery, London.

Painted with restrained, horizontal brushwork that conveys calm reflections on the water. The tonal range is narrow, building atmosphere through subtle value shifts rather than high-key chromatic contrasts. Compositional geometry — the bridge arch, vertical embankments — is already strongly in evidence.