Waterloo Bridge,London at Sunset — History & Facts
A broad stone bridge stretches across the centre of the composition, its arches rendered in soft, hazy forms that dissolve into the surrounding atmosphere. Above the bridge, faint vertical shapes suggest the outlines of distant buildings or chimneys, their forms barely distinguishable through the thick mist that fills the scene. The sky occupies the upper half of the painting, covered in swirling, pale clouds that merge seamlessly with the fog enveloping the city.
Below the bridge, the river reflects the pale blues, greens, and lavenders of the sky and arches, its surface broken by gentle ripples and shimmering brushstrokes. The paint is applied in loose, visible strokes, especially in the water and sky, where colours blend and overlap to create a sense of movement and fleeting light. No sharply defined figures appear, but the suggestion of activity on the bridge comes from dabs of colour and subtle variations in tone.
The composition is balanced horizontally, with the bridge running almost parallel to the lower edge and the open sky above, while vertical accents from distant structures add depth. Small dabs of yellow and orange paint are scattered along the top of the bridge, suggesting the glow of artificial lights or lamps. A faint blue patch appears above the bridge toward the right edge, breaking the otherwise muted palette.
The far left edge of the painting is dominated by a soft, bluish haze that merges with the water below. The lower left corner contains a swirl of pale lavender and green brushstrokes, adding texture to the river's surface. In the upper right corner, the cloud cover is slightly lighter, with hints of peach and cream blending into the sky.
Vertical strokes of pale green and yellow rise above the bridge on the left side, indicating distant smokestacks or towers. The arches of the bridge are outlined with subtle pink and violet tones, which fade into the surrounding mist.
More Artworks by Claude Monet

Water Lilies
Claude Monet

The Beach at Sainte-Adresse
Claude Monet

Water Lilies
Claude Monet

The Gare St-Lazare
Claude Monet

The Houses of Parliament, Sunset
Claude Monet

Monet's Garden at Giverny
Claude Monet

The Artist’s Garden in Giverny
Claude Monet

Water Lilies
Claude Monet

Water Lilies
Claude Monet

Water Lilies
Claude Monet
More Landscape Art

The Starry Night
Vincent van Gogh

View of Delft
Johannes Vermeer

Water Lilies
Claude Monet

The Grand Canal, Venice, looking north-west from the Ca' Corner to the Ca' Contarini degli Scrigni, with the campanile of Santa Maria della Carità
Canaletto

Windsor Castle
Canaletto

The Grand Canal looking North-East from the Palazzo Dolfin-Manin to the Rialto Bridge
Canaletto
