Art Analysis

 The Cliffs of Étretat By Claude Monet, Normandy 1886



    The way you can see how Monet incorporates his pastel palette colors such as pink or green, into the clouds shows reflection off the of the sun located on the other side of the arch. The detailed lined brush strokes gives textures in the cliffs, making it look more realistic. The shadowing brings depth and shaping into the painting as well. Monet has created space by giving the perspective that one object is closer than the other, or in other words overlapping the boulder in the corner to part of the cliff. It captures a great picture of the beautiful seascape or landscape. This specific painting is special because Monet painted it from a secluded spot, you may only reach it by boat or previously known path. This arch was naturally formed and is the main attraction for why many tourists visit Étretat. Monet was so drawn by how astonishing, picturesque, and unique the cliffs along Étretat were, he had created about 50 more painting of the cliffs. 

    The Cliffs of Étretat is currently being held in the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute since 1955. 
I love oil pantings on canvas. It has been my favorite art medium to create art with. It all just blends so well together as seen in this piece. I can see the waves coming up and down the edge of the beach while seagulls call out in the sky. I feel so at peace looking at this painting, as though I could reach out and touch the painting being transported to where Monet was exactly standing. It really draws you in and shows how something so plain as rocks and arches are so naturally beautifully seen even in 1886.  


Bibliography 

"Monet, Claude. “Cliffs of Etretat.” The Cliffs at Étretat, The Clark Art Institute, https://www.clarkart.edu/artpiece/detail/The-Cliffs-at-Etretat-(1)"

“Cliffs at Étretat (Moscow).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 5 Jan. 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cliffs_at_%C3%89tretat_(Moscow)"










Comments

  1. Sarah May KlineSeptember 20, 2024 at 12:58 AM

    I adore Claude Monet's work! So glad you chose to analyze one that I don't think I've seen before. I'm more familiar with his portraiture works, so seeing the same softness in a landscape is a very cool discovery for me.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Preferences and Perspectives: Romantic Era

Image
La Grenouillère by Claude Monet La Grenouillère  was painted by Claude Monet and was made in 1896 at a resort on the Seine River near Paris. Monet uses the style impressionism which is shown in the colors, brushworks, light, and reflection. Monet captures the play of light on water, using various shades of blue, green, and white to depict reflections which adds a shimmering effect. Monet uses short, loose brushstrokes to convey a sense of movement and the vanishing nature of light. The reflections in the water show features of boats, people, and foliage creating lively interplay of shapes and colors. This painting gives me emotions of relaxation and peace. The carefree summer day and overall atmosphere captured through the people enjoying a day by the river and the main focus of the vibrant light on water makes me feel calm and at peace. This painting really meets my presentation preference by creating such a happy atmosphere with light and color. I do wish the composition was zoo...
Read more

First Blog Post

Image
 Hi, my name is Ariel Jarrard. I am going to the University of Alaska Fairbanks and I hope to get my Associates in Art. I want to be an interior designer in the future. I moved here from Michigan in 2022 to go to school. I live with my significant other and our two cats, Domino and Lilo. My hobbies are anything in nature or outdoors, I love to paint or sketch, I love getting to go visit my family in Michigan, and I enjoy going on any adventures or travel when I get the opportunity. I work two jobs, one at a school in town as a teacher assistant and the other as a bartender at The Pub on campus. I'm really looking forward to this art class and hope to learn something new and improve my art skills.   I have loved art since I was younger. My dad has his own painting business and I have helped him on many projects during the summers. In my own free time I like to paint or sketch. I took a couple ceramic classes in high school and those were my favorite! I own some art that I have ...
Read more

Baroque Blog

Image
  The Swing by Jean Honoré Fragonard  The Swing was painted by Jean Honoré Fragonard in France 1767. Jean created The Swing u sing oil paint and the rococo art style. Rococo art style was originated in France in the 1720s but wasn't popular til the 1770s. The rococo style depicts beautiful clothing and natural settings. It also creates an illusion of motion and drama. Using the rococo style, Jean used pastel colors such as pink, greens, and hints of red. The bright  pink of the woman's dress and the accents of crimson red on the swing, stands out against the cooler greens in the garden. This draws the viewer's attention to the woman on the swing, giving the impression she is the main object of the painting. Along with using pastel colors like the rococo style, Jean also used shapes and textures. The woman swinging was painted with curved lines to accentuate her body. Jean also incorporated swirling diagonal textures that helps direct the eye to a certain object and cre...
Read more