Banks of the Seine in Summer, Tournedos sur Seine 1899

Gustave Loiseau's "Banks of the Seine in Summer, Tournedos sur Seine," captures a serene landscape where the sun-drenched hills meet the flowing river. Here, water is not merely a geographical feature; it becomes a symbol of transformation, a motif deeply ingrained in the human psyche. Think of the ancient myths where rivers are boundaries between worlds. The Seine, like the Styx, suggests a journey, a passage. Notice how the surface mirrors the sky, blurring the lines between the earthly and ethereal. The clouds drifting above repeat in the water below, hinting at the transient nature of existence itself. Even the Impressionists were not the first to use this motif. Consider earlier depictions of the “crossing of the river Styx,” a scene full of drama and pathos. Loiseau's depiction is far less dramatic, but still invites us to contemplate the cyclical nature of life and art. The water's surface is alive with reflections, each ripple a fleeting moment captured in paint. This constant flux reminds us of the Heraclitian notion that one cannot step into the same river twice. It’s a powerful, subconscious pull that evokes feelings of nostalgia, longing, and the ever-present passage of time.