The Impressionists' River: Views of the Seine

The river Seine- especially the stretch between Paris and its mouth at Le Havre-- played a special role in the development of Impressionism. It provided the artists of the movement with a wealth of motifs. The river itself, its bridges and riverside towns and villages, through the seasons of the year and its many states from full flood to ice-bound, were infinitely varying themes to which they returned time and time again, as were the fleeting images of sailboats flashing by and fashionable Parisians promenading beside the river or relaxing in riverside restaurants.