Pont de l'Arche, approached from Rouen, is most picturesque. It lies
snuggled down by the river, its bridge flung invitingly towards you
across the Seine, while behind it the forest comes down the steep slope
almost to the town. The church, perched high upon a corner of the old
fortifications, seems to be keeping watch over the homes of its
parishioners. Its elaborately carved exterior gives rise to expectations
that are not realised, for within we find but little glass to arrest our
attention, although what there is dates from the sixteenth century. At
the eastern end of the north wall there is a Tree of Jesse, but it is
clumsily imagined and coarsely drawn. The flowers upon the vine are too
large, and from them protrude great half-length figures, so much out of
balance with the rest of the design as to render the ensemble lumbering
and ungraceful. The reason for our visit is provided by the second
window east from the south portal. The upper part shows Christ walking
on the sea. Below, reaching across the entire window, is a scene full of
the liveliest local interest. A boat is being drawn under an arch of the
bridge over the Seine, and pulling upon the two long tow-ropes are
groups of the townspeople, fifteen of them and two teams of horses
tugging at one rope, and eighteen and one team at the other. These
groups are carefully painted in enamel. A second vessel is being
similarly assisted under another arch of the bridge, the tow-rope in
this instance being made fast to a rowboat. The details of the bridge,
of the fortified island in the right foreground, and of the enamelled
figures of the citizens, are all most engaging. In the matter of correct
perspective, the artist relies heavily upon the indulgence of the
spectator, but otherwise the panel is agreeable, full of quaint
interest, and absolutely unique.