Emile Claus. (1849 - 1924). A Meeting on the Bridge.

All the days are not very sunny, moreover it does not have there always, everywhere, light effects. In cloudy weather an artist who can draw well and who controls the composition and the colour can produce an interesting work. It’s judicious to note that often works have much success whereas they are not representative of the true talent of an artist. In 1866 whereas he has serious financial problems Claude Monet knows, with the portrait of his future wife, Camille or the Green Dress, a real success. However the painting is of style academic and is not impressionist. The most known works of Renoir are the Lunch of the Rowers and the Mill of the Wafer which are 2 scenes of kind which do not have anything impressionist. Renoir is more impressionist in the individual portraits, that of Jeanne Savary (1877) for example, that in it’s portraits of group. Emile Claus has the gift to embellish his works by reproducing various types of lights which generate special atmospheres of an exquisite charm. But it’s not the only gift which he holds. This Meeting on a Bridge shows us that he has other talents. 

The point of view of the spectator and the horizon merge. The glance goes up because it’s attracted by the characters then it notices the tree in flower on the right, then it goes down again to detail the vegetation. 

The 2 characters, the tree in flower as well as the river are located on 3 natural points of interest. 

One the higher third of work is reserved for the sky. 2/3 lower than nature. The 2 characters are positioned in extreme cases between sky and ground. 

The artist exploits the opposition of the horizontals lines on top and obliques of bottom. 
These horizontals and these obliques constitutes strong foundations on which rest more sinuous compositions.

Details : 

The vertical shape of this tree in flower is opposed to the left part of the painting very horizontal.

The vegetation with foreground is represented with precision, application and meticulousness. 

Place of the meeting this bridge is not truly in good state. 

Light : The light comes from in bottom on the left. It’s the morning light of one day not very sunny.

Colours : Contrast between hot and cold, complementary colours.

Similar Paintings : 

Emile Claus. The Harvest.

Emile Claus. Young country-women going on the edges of the Leie.

Emile Claus. The Leie with Astene.

Emile Claus. Afternoon Along The River.