Stadsgezicht met rivier before 1880

Eugène Cicéri created this city view with river using lithography sometime in the 19th century. This print presents a placid, picturesque view of a European city, likely in France, during a period of rapid industrial expansion. Smoke billows from a building on the river, suggesting burgeoning industry. Meanwhile, figures on the riverbank are relaxing and enjoying the scenery. This points to the changing urban landscape, where industry and leisure exist side-by-side. Cicéri was a successful set designer. His artworks capture the aesthetic tastes of the era, with its blend of romanticism and growing industrialization. His art doesn't overtly critique society, but by capturing this moment in time, it provides us a glimpse into the social conditions of 19th-century Europe. To better understand this image, we can examine popular periodicals and city plans. These resources shed light on the relationship between art, urban development, and social change.