Zicht op de Pont de la Concorde en het Palais Bourbon in Parijs 1820

Jean-Baptiste Arnout made this drawing of the Pont de la Concorde and the Palais Bourbon in Paris, using pen and brush in grey ink. The composition, primarily horizontal, invites the eye to traverse the scene from left to right. Arnout employs a muted palette, where subtle gradations in tone define the forms and spatial relationships. The texture appears smooth, with delicate strokes suggesting the water's surface and architectural details. The bridge acts as a structural element, connecting the foreground and background, while also dividing the composition into distinct horizontal layers of sky, architecture and river. This structured division is reminiscent of classical landscape painting, yet the sketch-like quality infuses it with an immediacy that anticipates later developments in Impressionism. It invites us to reflect on how lines, light and shadow create a sense of depth and atmosphere. It’s a fascinating exploration of perspective and form.