Germain Bonneton Print, Left arm of the Bièvre, boulevard Arago (1900)
Germain Bonneton Print, Left arm of the Bièvre, boulevard Arago (1900)
The Artist: Germain Eugène Bonneton
Germain Eugène Bonneton (1870-1939) was a masterful French painter who captured the soul of Paris during a transformative era. Working predominantly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Bonneton specialized in urban landscape paintings that meticulously documented the city’s architectural and social transitions. His delicate brushwork and keen eye for atmospheric detail transformed ordinary Parisian scenes into extraordinary visual narratives.
The Great Flood of Paris, 1910: A Historical Masterpiece
Many of Bonneton’s most remarkable works document the catastrophic Paris flood of January 1910, when the Seine River dramatically overran its banks. This unprecedented disaster submerged significant portions of the city, leaving streets transformed into waterways and landmarks partially underwater. Bonneton’s paintings from this period are not merely artistic representations but historical documents, capturing the resilience and adaptation of Parisian life during an extraordinary moment.
The Bièvre River: A Hidden Urban Narrative
Central to many of Bonneton’s paintings is the Bièvre River, a once-vital waterway that played a crucial role in Paris’s industrial and social landscape. Originally a natural river running through the southern parts of Paris, the Bièvre was progressively culverted during the late 19th and early 20th centuries as part of the city’s modernization efforts.
River’s Journey:
- Originated in the heights of Antony
- Traversed through multiple Parisian arrondissements
- Historically used by tanneries and textile industries
- Gradually covered and transformed into underground infrastructure between 1880-1930
Why These Prints Matter
Bonneton’s works are more than decorative art—they are windows into Paris’s architectural and social evolution. Each print captures a moment of urban transformation, preserving the city’s dynamic spirit for contemporary art lovers and history enthusiasts.
All prints are made using archival art stocks and UV pigment inks to give up to 200 years life. Prints are sold unframed and unmounted.
