View of the Île de la Cité, Paris

"View of the Île de la Cité, Paris" is a captivating oil painting on canvas created by the French post-impressionist artist Henri Rousseau sometime between 1890 and 1900. Currently housed in the Ackland Art Museum, this piece measures 0.81 meters in height and 1.005 meters in width. The painting beautifully portrays the Île de la Cité, a small island nestled in the Seine River, with the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral prominently featured in the background. Rousseau's meticulous detail in rendering the cathedral's Gothic architecture is truly remarkable. Adding a touch of human presence to the tranquil scene, two figures are depicted strolling along a bridge in the foreground. The artist's masterful use of color and perspective creates a sense of depth and atmosphere, drawing the viewer into the serene ambiance of the painting.