Jean-François Raffaëlli (French, 1850-1924)

Although often described as an artist who defies categorization, Jean- François Raffaëlli shared many affinities with his contemporaries, the Impressionists. Indeed, Barques à Pierrefitte en été bears all the hallmarks of that most beloved 19th century movement. The work is a study in the shimmering effects of light and atmosphere; with short, choppy brushstrokes, Raffaëlli captures fleeting moments of rippling water, rustling leaves and the sun's intensity reflected on the Seine on a brilliant summer afternoon. As a place of leisure along the Seine, Pierrefitte recalls similar locales depicted by artists such as Monet and Renoir with which Raffaëlli would have been familiar.

We are grateful to Galerie Brame et Lorenceau and the Comité Raffaëlli for confirming the authenticity of this painting.