Monet, Claude. Waterloo Bridge. Fog effect Hermitage ~ part 08

Description of Claude Monet’s painting "Waterloo Bridge. The effect of fog."

The painting "Waterloo Bridge. The Fog Effect" by Monet is a striking representative of the artist’s cycle of works that he dedicated to London.

The artist depicted a view of London’s Thames River through a wall of airy and snowy fog. This view fascinates and beckons, and one wants to look closely and consider this endless expanse of water.

The fog is depicted very realistically, the painter used many color transitions. The range of tones is very harmonious and creates a soothing effect. This work is striking in its genius, the details of the painting can only be seen from a distance. This is the only way to fully recreate the popular landscape.

Through the thick fog one can really see the images of boats and people, Waterloo Bridge and the shadows of working factories. The master did not use contrasts of color and the classic black hue for the drawings. The cycle of works was timed to coincide with the next anniversary of the victory at Waterloo and, accordingly, the opening of the bridge in honor of this event.

The artist wanted to paint the bridge itself, but in the process of the work in the foreground were always other characters and details. This was the reason for creating several works under a common theme. To depict this view through the thickness of an impenetrable fog, allowed to give the work a purely English atmosphere.

The painter finished the work already in his studio in France, so the picture carries, a little fantasy character. Thus, the artist conveyed his emotions, which seized him during a visit to the capital of Great Britain.

To complete the work it was necessary to use a large number of tonal transitions, which will create the effect of fog so realistically. The bridge connects the industrial part of London, and the people in the boats symbolize life and movement. The kind of quiet and peaceful life that the victory at Waterloo presented.