Banks of the Seine, Paris 1896

"Banks of the Seine, Paris" was painted by Albert Marquet, likely in the early 20th century, using oil on canvas. Born in Bordeaux, Marquet moved to Paris at a young age and, like many artists of his generation, was drawn to the Seine as a subject. Marquet's paintings often capture the everyday lives of ordinary people in the context of the rapidly changing urban landscape of Paris. His work reflects the social transformations of the time, marked by industrialization, urbanization, and shifting class structures. Here, the river is not just a geographical feature, but an integral part of the city's identity. Marquet's soft brushstrokes and muted palette create a sense of tranquility, while the inclusion of working boats hints at the economic activities that shaped Parisian life. "I always tried to paint what was in front of me," Marquet said, "as simply as possible." The image becomes an intimate portrait of a city in flux, inviting us to reflect on the relationship between place, identity, and the human experience.