Bridge in the rain, after Hiroshige

In this vibrant painting, a bridge spans a dark, reflective river, bustling with figures under a dramatic, rain-streaked sky. The composition, a direct homage to a Japanese print by Hiroshige, showcases a fascinating cultural exchange. Instead of simply copying, the artist has transformed the original woodblock into a dynamic oil painting, applying his signature impasto to create a textured, almost sculptural surface. Notice the bold outlines and flat areas of color, elements borrowed from Japanese ukiyo-e prints that were highly fashionable in Paris at the time. This work, made in 1887, reflects a period when the artist was deeply engaged with Japanese aesthetics, using them to experiment with new ways of seeing and depicting the world around him. The vivid palette and energetic brushwork infuse a traditional subject with a distinctly modern sensibility.