Bords de la Seine à Poissy 1889

Ernest Meissonier created this oil on panel painting entitled 'Bords de la Seine à Poissy' sometime in the mid-19th century. During this time, France was undergoing immense social and political change, grappling with the rise of industrialization, urbanization, and class tensions. Meissonier, who came from a working-class background, became known for his detailed and often idealized depictions of historical and military scenes. However, here he turns his attention to the landscape, depicting the river Seine at Poissy. Interestingly, while Meissonier gained fame for his meticulous realism, this work has a more intimate, sketch-like quality, reflecting the rise of Impressionism and its focus on capturing fleeting moments. This painting might seem like an objective representation of a place, but we should ask ourselves whose perspective is reflected? How does it relate to the society and class structures of the time? It invites us to reflect on the complex relationship between art, identity, and societal change.