Claude Monet
Claude Monet loved to paint in series. There is no surprise, then, that he painted plenty of views of the dramatic cliffs and rock formations at Étretat, a fishing village and seaside resort on the coast of Normandy in northern France. Two of the area’s most famous natural landmarks—the Elephant and the Needle, named for their distinctive shapes—are featured in the work we present today.
In this painting, Monet used quick, separate brushstrokes and bright pigments to create a sense of movement on the water’s surface. To depict the setting sun, he layered wet paint over wet paint, allowing the colors to mix directly on the canvas—a bold and experimental technique at the time.
During his three-week stay in Étretat, Monet wrote frequently to his fiancée, Alice, describing the towering cliffs and the difficulties of painting in cold February weather and on rugged terrain. He worked en plein air—painting outdoors—and produced preliminary studies on site to complete later in his studio. He began at least 18 paintings during this visit.
P.S. Such amazing views by Monet (and other artists) are featured in our Sea, Ships & Beaches and Landscapes postcard sets, don't miss out on them!
P.P.S. Monet repeatedly painted the same subjects in different lights, at different hours of the day, and in various weather and seasons. Explore Monet's iconic series of paintings.