Rolleboise, Swimming In The Small Branch of The River (1920 CE)

Rolleboise, la baignade dans le petit bras or Rolleboise, swimming in the small branch of the river by Maximilien Luce is an oil painting from 1920 that depicts a tranquil scene by the Seine River near the village of Rolleboise. The painting captures a group of bathers enjoying a peaceful moment in a small branch of the river, conveying a serene and harmonious atmosphere through Luce’s masterful use of light and color. This work reflects the artist’s deep connection to the landscape and his evolution towards a more fluid, expressive painting style.

Created in 1920, “Rolleboise, la baignade dans le petit bras” was painted during a period when Luce had settled in the Rolleboise area, having moved there around 1917. The artist was known for depicting rural life, particularly scenes of everyday leisure and nature, themes that are central to this work. By this time, Luce had shifted from his early Neo-Impressionist, pointillist style to a freer, more dynamic approach. This painting is a reflection of his later work, which emphasized the beauty and tranquility of the French countryside.

It is said that Luce found great solace in the peaceful surroundings of Rolleboise, and often spent time observing the locals enjoying leisurely activities by the river. The bathers in this painting are not just subjects; they are part of a larger personal connection the artist had with the Seine and its community. The scene in the painting mirrors the lifestyle that Luce himself adopted after moving to the countryside, seeking quiet and simplicity in contrast to the industrial scenes he had previously painted.

This artwork is significant within the context of early 20th-century French painting, particularly within the Neo-Impressionist movement. Although Luce was originally influenced by pointillism, his departure from this technique in his later years is evident in the loose, fluid brushstrokes of “Rolleboise, la baignade dans le petit bras.” The painting reflects the broader shift in art during this time, moving away from the rigidity of earlier styles to a more personal and emotional representation of the landscape. Moreover, the depiction of leisure and nature ties into the broader themes of escapism and the celebration of rural life that were prominent in French art during the post-World War I period.

The painting is executed in oil on canvas and measures 78.7 x 92.3 cm (31 x 36 ¼ inches). It features a calm palette of blues, greens, and earth tones that capture the tranquil essence of the Seine River and its surrounding landscape. The composition is balanced, with the figures of the bathers integrated harmoniously into the natural setting. Luce’s technique in this piece is characterized by his delicate handling of light, which brings a soft, almost ethereal quality to the scene.

The artwork is part of the collection at the Musée de l’Hôtel-Dieu in Mantes-la-Jolie, France. The museum, which houses a range of works from the 19th and 20th centuries, acquired the painting as part of its dedication to preserving the art and history of the region.