The Water Works at Marli, and St. Germain en Laye seen in the distance - Thomas Girtin

A soft-ground etching and aquatint by Thomas Girtin, depicting the historic water works at Marly with the distant town of Saint-Germain-en-Laye.

This print originates from the series 'A Selection of Twenty of the Most Picturesque Views in Paris and its Environs', published posthumously in 1803. Thomas Girtin, a contemporary and rival of J.M.W. Turner, visited Paris in 1801, where he produced a series of sketches that captured the French capital and its surrounding areas. These works were later translated into soft-ground etchings and aquatints by various engravers, including J.B. Harraden, who worked on this specific plate. The composition depicts the hydraulic machine at Marly, a complex engineering structure designed to pump water from the Seine to the gardens of Versailles. Girtin presents the scene with a characteristic focus on atmospheric conditions and the expansive nature of the river valley. The low horizon line allows the sky to occupy a significant portion of the frame, where Girtin employs subtle tonal gradations to suggest the shifting light of dusk. The distant silhouette of Saint-Germain-en-Laye provides a sense of scale and historical context to the industrial subject matter. Technically, the use of soft-ground etching allows for a painterly quality that mimics the appearance of pencil or chalk drawings. The aquatint process adds depth through layered washes of tone, creating a soft, diffused effect across the water and the rolling hills. This work demonstrates Girtin's ability to balance topographical accuracy with a sensitive approach to light and mood. It remains a significant example of early nineteenth-century British printmaking, reflecting the period's interest in European travel and the documentation of engineering feats within natural settings.