Étretat, the Porte d'Aval: Fishing Boats Leaving the Harbor
1885 Musée des Beaux-Arts de Dijon
About this artwork
This painting captures the rugged beauty of the Étretat cliffs, a subject Monet revisited frequently, depicting various atmospheric conditions and times of day. It is one of a series focusing on the famous natural rock formations along the Normandy coast.
Did you know?
Claude Monet was deeply fascinated by the ever-changing light and weather at Étretat on the Normandy coast. He painted over 50 canvases of the cliffs and sea arches, often working on several at once to capture the subtle shifts in atmosphere and color as the day progressed, famously stating that "the motif itself is an insignificant thing for me, what I want to reproduce is what exists between the motif and me." This particular work showcases his dedication to rendering a specific moment in time as fishing boats navigate the waters near the iconic formations.
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Étretat, the Porte d'Aval: Fishing Boats Leaving the Harbor
Claude Monet, 1885
