Monet's 'The Cliffs at Étretat' (1885) captures the dramatic Norman coastline with his characteristic Impressionist style, employing rapid brushstrokes and a vibrant palette to convey the interplay of light on the limestone cliffs. The painting showcases the distinctive arch formation known as the Porte d'Aval, with waves crashing against the rocky shore beneath a luminous sky. Monet's mastery of colour is evident in the subtle variations of blues, greens, and purples that define the sea and sky, while golden highlights dance across the cliff faces.
This work is part of a larger series where Monet repeatedly painted the Étretat cliffs under different weather conditions and times of day. He visited this location multiple times between 1883 and 1886, often working outdoors in challenging conditions to capture the ever-changing atmospheric effects. The artist would sometimes position himself precariously on the beach or in small boats to achieve the perfect perspective, demonstrating his dedication to capturing nature's ephemeral moments.
The painting reflects Monet's growing fascination with serial works, where he would paint the same subject repeatedly to explore how light and weather transformed the landscape. This approach would later culminate in his celebrated Water Lilies series. The Étretat series also marks a pivotal moment in Monet's career, as he moved away from urban scenes towards pure landscape painting, focusing increasingly on the relationship between light, colour, and natural forms. His innovative technique of applying pure colour in small brushstrokes influenced generations of artists and helped establish Impressionism as a revolutionary artistic movement.
