Riverbanks of the Seine 1906

Fujishima Takeji captured this scene of the River Seine in oil paint, sometime during his career. Look at the way the colors blend, almost as if they're exhaling into each other. It's like watching a sunset where the colors are never quite separate, always in the process of becoming. The paint is laid down in soft strokes, creating a dreamy texture. You can almost feel the dampness in the air and the cool, reflective surface of the water. See how the dark hues dominate, but there are lighter patches, especially in the lower left, that hint at a hidden radiance? This spot feels like a secret, a moment of unexpected brightness in an otherwise muted scene. This reminds me of Whistler, who sought to capture a feeling of stillness and contemplation in his art. I think Riverbanks of the Seine invites us to pause and reflect on the beauty of fleeting moments, and the way art can turn them into something lasting.