Rousseau,H. La tour Eiffel, ca 1898, Museum of Fine Arts, Ho Henri Julien Felix Rousseau (1844-1910)

The canvas presents a view of a waterway receding into the distance, flanked by dense vegetation on either side. A prominent structure dominates the middle ground, its latticed form rising above a cluster of buildings and trees. The perspective is linear, drawing the eye along the waters surface towards this central architectural element.
The sky occupies a significant portion of the composition, displaying horizontal bands of color – a progression from dusky blues and purples near the horizon to warmer hues of pink and orange higher up. This atmospheric effect suggests either sunrise or sunset, imbuing the scene with a sense of quietude and transition. The vegetation is rendered in broad strokes of dark green, creating a solid wall that contrasts with the openness of the water.
Several small figures are scattered along the banks of the waterway, appearing as tiny silhouettes against the landscape. A single boat drifts on the water, further emphasizing the stillness and solitude of the scene. The artist employed a limited palette, relying primarily on greens, blues, browns, and touches of pink and orange to establish mood and depth.
The composition evokes a sense of industrial modernity juxtaposed with natural elements. While the towering structure signifies progress and urban development, the surrounding foliage and water suggest an enduring connection to nature. The small scale of the human figures in relation to the landscape implies a feeling of insignificance within a larger world. There is a deliberate flattening of perspective, which contributes to a dreamlike quality, distancing the viewer from any immediate sense of place or time. This creates a contemplative space where the grandeur of the structure and the serenity of the natural environment coexist, inviting reflection on the relationship between humanity and its surroundings.