L’Hôtel de la Monnaie et le Pont-Neuf 1901

Editor: This is Frédéric Houbron's "L’Hôtel de la Monnaie et le Pont-Neuf," painted in 1901. It’s a watercolour that feels almost monochromatic at first glance, capturing the Seine in Paris. I’m struck by how still the water seems, despite the visible brushstrokes, which gives it a muted energy. What catches your eye when you look at this piece? Curator: Well, first, I get the scent of damp air, like mist rising off the river stones, and a longing for simpler times...Houbron really grasped the quiet industry of Paris, don't you think? Look at the reflections of light. It is incredible what he accomplishes using subtle tones and loose brushstrokes. How the architecture rises like something remembered. It's almost as if the Pont-Neuf is sighing. And isn’t it fascinating how he focuses on these daily elements of work rather than just romantic scenes. It really resonates. Don’t you find it interesting? Editor: I do! It almost feels like you could step into this painting; I wouldn't say "sighing" but there's a sense of heavy beauty for sure. The steamer adding that burst of smoky air also keeps things dynamic in the otherwise muted composition. Did painting en plein air contribute to that feeling? Curator: Ah, exactly! Painting outside, with the Seine’s breeze and Parisian grit in his face... must have given Houbron that intimacy with the city's soul, yes! That direct connection makes it intensely poetic... Editor: It's incredible how much history and feeling can be packed into a cityscape with what seems like so few colors! Curator: Absolutely! It demonstrates the expressive power of watercolors, capturing a specific place and time with sensitivity.