Seine-brug 1773 - 1843

Georges Michel created this sketch of the Seine bridge using graphite. Its dominant visual experience is one of subdued observation, focusing on the structural form of the bridge. The composition is structured around the horizontal axis of the bridge, with the arches providing a rhythmic pattern that is reflected in the water below. Michel uses line to define the edges of the bridge, creating a sense of depth and solidity. The texture of the paper adds to the sketch's raw, unfinished quality. This approach aligns with Michel's broader interest in capturing the transient effects of light and atmosphere, reflecting a shift towards a more subjective and experiential mode of landscape representation. The sketch challenges established notions of pictorial finish, inviting us to consider the value of the incomplete and the provisional in artistic practice. By focusing on the formal qualities of the bridge, Michel draws attention to the constructed nature of our environment, prompting questions about the relationship between nature and culture.