Bank of the Somme (Bords de la Somme)

Art Historical Context

Jules Dupré’s 1836 lithograph *Bank of the Somme (Bords de la Som)* captures a tranquil stretch of riverbank in northern France. Created early in the artist’s career, the print reflects the growing 19th-century fascination with natural scenery and the shift toward direct observation of the landscape. Dupré, later a leading figure of the Barbizon School, already shows his sensitivity to light and atmosphere in this modest yet evocative scene. As a lithograph, the work benefited from a medium that allowed artists to reproduce the spontaneity of drawing while reaching a wider audience. Prints su...

About the Artist

Jules Dupré · 1811–1889

Jules Dupré (1811–1889) was born in Nantes, France, on April 5, the son of a porcelain manufacturer. He began his artistic career in his father's factory before moving to paint porcelain at his uncle's china factory in Sèvres. Lacking formal training or a specific teacher, Dupré debuted at the Paris Salon in 1831, earning a second-class medal three years later. A pivotal trip to England in 1834 ex...