Asnières, long ago made part of Paris, was an independent community in the mid-19th century, popular for fishing and boating. As the nearest town to Paris, it often served as a place of recreation. In this picture Monet viewed Asnières from the Parisian bank of the Seine. Across the massive shapes of barges we see a disconcerting array of buildings, ranging from the grand manor on the right to chunky rental buildings and small villas. The barges set off the evanescent reflections - glimmering, magically alive - that naturally link these two different worlds. Monet does not emphasize the social aspects; the landscape is not so much a view of some fashionable resort area as it is a poetic image of sunlight - at a time when, shortly before nightfall, the light is especially translucent and is capable of ennobling any natural scene.