Date and Medium

The painting was created in 1873, with some variations produced in the following year. It is an oil on canvas work.

Dimensions

The painting measures 54.3 cm by 73.3 cm (21.3 inches by 28.8 inches).

Location

The painting is part of the collection at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, specifically in Gallery 252, European Art 1850-1900. It was acquired as part of the John G. Johnson Collection in 1917.

Subject and Style

The painting depicts a steel and concrete railway bridge over the Seine River at Argenteuil, a town northwest of Paris. This bridge was seen as a symbol of modernity and new technology during that period. Monet's work captures the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere, characteristic of Impressionist techniques. The painting features quick, fluid brushstrokes and unblended colors to convey the light and movement of the scene.

Context

Monet lived in Argenteuil from 1871 to 1877, a period during which he and other Impressionist artists, such as Renoir, Sisley, Caillebotte, and Manet, frequently painted together. This period marked a significant development in Monet's work and the Impressionist movement as a whole. Monet painted multiple versions of the railway bridge, as well as other scenes in Argenteuil, often capturing the same subjects under different weather conditions.

Technique

Monet's technique in this painting involves applying discrete brushstrokes to build up the image and describe the varying light effects. This approach was typical of his Impressionist style, where the focus was on capturing the immediate sensory experience of the scene rather than detailing every object precisely.