The Pile Drivers
1902-1905 Musée d'Orsay
About this artwork
This large-scale oil painting depicts industrial laborers at work on a construction site along the Seine in Boulogne-Billancourt. It exemplifies the artist's focus on the lives and labor of the working class during the turn of the 20th century.
Did you know?
Maximilien Luce was a committed anarchist who frequently chose the working class as his primary subject matter, seeking to dignify the toil of the common laborer. This work is notable for its vibrant, scientific application of color through the pointillist method, which captures the hazy, atmospheric quality of a bustling industrial riverbank.
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The Pile Drivers
Maximilien Luce, 1902-1905