La Rue Mouffetard
Artist Luce, Maximilien
nationality French
birth-death 1858-1941
Creation date 1889-1890
Materials oil on canvas
Dimensions 31 5/8 x 25 3/16 in.
Location Robert H. & Ina M. Mohlman Gallery
Credit line The Holliday Collection
Accession number 79.311
http://www.imamuseum.org/explore/artwork/1429

Luce's view of the rue Mouffetard, a busy street on the Left Bank of Paris, is one of his purest Neo-Impressionist efforts. The colors reflect the movement's reliance on the contrast of warm and cool hues, and his pointillist brushwork adds animation to the bustling market scene. The buildings lock into a sturdy vertical format that satisfies the Neo-Impressionist desire for firm compositions.

The working-class setting suits the Neo-Impressionists' interest in contemporary urban life and Luce's deep concern for the laborer. The neighborhood is still a popular market district, offering many of the same views and products as those Luce recorded more than a century ago.