On The Bank of the River c. 19th century

Paul Signac created "On The Bank of the River," a watercolor and graphite work, sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. Signac, deeply involved in the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist movements, sought to capture the fleeting moments of light and atmosphere that defined modern life. Here, the river becomes a stage reflecting the socio-economic currents of his time. You can see Notre Dame, the symbol of Paris that looms in the background. The river itself was a bustling artery of commerce and leisure, a site where different social classes converged, each with their own stories. The steamboats and barges hint at the industrial progress that was rapidly changing the urban landscape. Signac once said his art was about "the harmony of sensations." The light watercolor palette evokes the feeling of a hazy day along the Seine. Rather than offering a detailed depiction, Signac invites us to experience the sensory impressions of a place, a time, and a culture in transition.