The Seine appears frequently in Claude Monet’s paintings near Argenteuil.
Monet lived in Argenteuil from 1871 to 1878, a particularly productive period in his career. The town lay on the Seine northwest of Paris, and the river provided subjects ranging from sailing boats and bridges to reflections, riverbanks, and changing skies.
Argenteuil was well connected to Paris by railway and was becoming an industrial and recreational suburb. Monet responded to both sides of the landscape, painting modern bridges and factories as well as leisure scenes on the water. His houseboat studio also allowed him to work directly from the river.
The Seine is sometimes confused with other French rivers in questions about Monet’s landscapes. Although he painted many locations across France, the Seine is especially associated with the Argenteuil paintings and with several later series around Paris and Normandy.