Claude Monet - “Impression, Sunrise” 1872
Claude Monet - “Impression, Sunrise” 1872 (48 x 63 cm (18.9 x 24.4 inches)
“Impression, Sunrise” is an oil painting by Claude Monet that is often seen as a manifesto for the impressionist movement. Monet’s depiction of the Port of Le Havre in Northern France at sunrise is shown with quick thick brushstrokes. The painting is constructed out of colors and shape and doesn't focus on details and lines. The painting itself was highly discussed when it was first exhibited, many people mocked the painting using the term “impressionism” in a derogatory manner. Impressionist paintings often show the fleeting moments of everyday life, capturing a brief moment in time. The primary subject of the painting is the rising sun over the port, the painting captures the point in which the sun has just broken through the norming mist, casting a warm golden light across the water. Monet’s portrayal of the sun is abstract and blurry, with only a hint of its shape, reinforcing the idea of capturing light and atmosphere rather than a precise image.
The sunrise itself symbolizes a new beginning, foreshadowing the start of the impressionist movement. The water in the painting is not depicted with great detail but it still holds motion and reflectiveness. The sun reflects off the water and the water ripples from underneath the boat. The water looks to be forever moving showing that the painting could never truly capture the fleeting moment of water it could only allude to. The atmospheric misty effect shows the dreamlike characteristic of undisturbed nature. It is still morning and nature has just woken from its nightly slumbers. The insertion of the boat pulls the viewer back from that dreamlike nature, reminding us that it is still an industrialized landscape.
Monet’s choice of colors and brushwork expresses emotion and his perception of the scene. The contrast of warm and cool colors—orange and blue—creates a vibrant energy, while the loose brushwork conveys the quickness of the moment and the fleeting quality of light. The light is captured in a variation of hues, ranging from blue and purple to red and yellow, even between these colors there are green hues connecting the two. The muted tones play into the misty look of the entire scene, and give it a quiet and still atmosphere. Through his loose brushstrokes, vibrant colors, and emphasis on atmosphere over detail, the painting captures a moment in time that is both universal and intimate. The sunrise, the mist, and the reflections all symbolize the changing nature of life, while Monet’s approach to the painting challenges traditional methods of painting, it sparked and contributed to one of the most important movements in art history - the impressionist movement. Have you ever wanted to capture the fleeting moments in life with art?
Claude Monet - “Impression, Sunrise” 1872 (48 x 63 cm (18.9 x 24.4 inches)
