Roman Bridge in Avignon

Art Historical Context

Thomas Handforth's *Roman Bridge in Avignon* (1922) captures the timeless allure of one of France's most iconic landmarks along the Rhône River. This graphic arts print depicts the ancient bridge in Avignon—often romanticized as the Pont Saint-Bénézet or "Pont d'Avignon"—with its classical arches evoking Roman engineering amid a scenic riverside vista. Created early in Handforth's career, the work reflects his emerging talent for evocative printmaking, blending architectural precision with atmospheric depth. As a lithograph, the medium allows Handforth to masterfully render textures—from weathered stone to flowing water—using subtle tonal variations typical of early 20th-century graphic arts. Prints like this were vital for disseminating artistic visions to wider audiences, bridging fine art and popular culture. Handforth, an American artist celebrated for his later exotic lithographs of China, here draws on European travel inspirations, highlighting the bridge's cultural legacy as a symbol of medieval pilgrimage and the famous French folk song "Sur le Pont d'Avignon." Now in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection, gifted by Sade C. Styron, this piece invites visitors to ponder the enduring romance of historical sites, where stone whispers stories across centuries. (198 words)