Gezicht op Rouen en de Seine 1829 - 1880

This print, titled 'Gezicht op Rouen en de Seine', offers a glimpse into the urban landscape of Rouen through the eyes of an anonymous artist. Rouen, a city steeped in history, was a site of both resilience and conflict, particularly impacted during the Second World War. Yet, prior to the war, this image encapsulates a moment of relative calm. The artist frames the scene with lush foliage, drawing the viewer's eye towards the cathedral. The presence of the river Seine emphasizes Rouen's significance as a port city, a hub of commerce and cultural exchange. The image encapsulates the development of the city and the lives of the people that occupied it. However, this tranquil representation is also a carefully constructed narrative, one that perhaps overlooks the social tensions simmering beneath the surface of 19th-century European life. The depiction of Rouen becomes a statement about the complexities of identity, memory, and representation.