Le Pont aux Anglais, soleil couchant

"Le Pont aux Anglais, soleil couchant" is a mesmerizing oil painting from 1905 by French artist Robert Antoine Pinchon, a prominent figure in the emerging wave of the École de Rouen. Executed in a Post-Impressionist style with the vibrant hues of Fauvism and Neo-Impressionism, the artwork radiates golden yellows and blues. It vividly captures a train in motion, symbolizing the advent of the industrial age.

Initially presented to the public at the Galerie Legrip in Rouen in April 1905, the painting later became a part of the collection at the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Rouen. It beautifully portrays the Pont aux Anglais in Rouen, with a locomotive and train cars crossing the bridge, evoking a sense of dynamism and modernity. The warm golden tones of the sunset contrast strikingly with the cool grays, blues, violets, and greens, underscoring the bridge’s historical importance. Constructed in 1847 and replaced in 1912, the Pont aux Anglais was a crucial link between Paris and Le Havre.

Pinchon’s career flourished following the creation of this piece. In 1909, he held his first solo exhibition in Paris and subsequently exhibited his work at the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Rouen. He also co-founded the Société Normande de Peinture Moderne with other notable artists. That same year, the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Rouen acquired four of his paintings, solidifying his legacy. Today, "Le Pont aux Anglais, soleil couchant" remains a treasured part of the museum’s permanent collection, highlighting Pinchon's significant contribution to art during this vibrant period.