Valéry Müller - The Pont-neuf In Paris

Oil on canvas by Valéry Müller (1873–1917) depicting a view of the Pont-Neuf in Paris in 1909.

Oil: 27 x 41 cm; frame: 50 x 60 cm

Born in Elbeuf and a student of Philippe Zacharie, Valéry Müller exhibited at the Galerie Legrip in Rouen in 1904 and at the Salon de la Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts in 1904, 1906, and 1907. There he primarily displayed views of Paris, particularly of bridges, a recurring theme in his work.

His style is deeply influenced by that of Joseph Delattre. This is evident here in the large number of brushstrokes executed with a fine brush, the sense of immersion created by placing the water in the foreground, and above all, a beautiful transparency. While the format still recalls Delattre’s choices, the variations and gradations of blue make this a highly modern Impressionist painting.

Valéry Müller’s body of work is extremely limited, due in part to his early death and in part to his many other activities. Alongside painting, he pursued a career as a literary critic and journalist. The BnF holds a portion of his collection of drawings.