Van Gogh at the Seine

Changes in the landscape image

In the 19th century, places just outside Paris became more accessible via bridges and trains. At the same time, smoking factory chimneys increasingly dominated the horizon. The exhibition shows how artists captured these changes.

Nature and industry

Five ambitious artists, Van Gogh, Seurat, Signac, Bernard and Angrand, went to the banks of the Seine to paint. With their easel in the green, they captured the changes brought about by the emerging industry. They found new, contemporary motifs and developed their use of color and painting techniques. The town of Asnières in particular was decisive for the artistic development of these artists.

Asnieres

Asnières is located just outside Paris on the Seine. Until about 1850 it was known as an idyllic green suburb where city dwellers spent their free time. In the second half of the 19th century, the area around Asnières was increasingly characterized by emerging industry. Because of the changing landscape and the easy accessibility from Paris, artists went to Asnières to paint.

The exhibition shows the role Asnières and the Seine played in the artistic development of Vincent van Gogh, Georges Seurat, Paul Signac, Émile Bernard and Charles Angrand.