AEP Art Blog

SOVA: Monet

Impression: Sunrise by Claude Monet

The subject matter of the artwork is the scene of a sunrise outdoors at France. As sunrises do not last for very long, the painting wasn't very detailed and Monet wanted to make the best out of capturing this special fleeting moment. Thus, the whole scenery appeared vague and are mainly defined by different blocks of colours that gives a suggestion to what the objects in the scene really are. As the main focus is on the whole scene and the general impression it makes, specific details such as the faces and clothes of the men on the boat in the waters are not defined.

The colour used in this artwork are mostly bright and natural colors, with no somber colours used or any artificial colour that was manipulated by the artist's feelings. The entire artwork was meant to depict a scene thus the artist's own feelings did not affect how it turned out to be. Colours are not dull, but the palette is mostly limited to green, yellow and blue with varying tones and shades of a single colour.

As for the brushworks used in this painting, they are mainly directional, such as those used to depict the waves in the water, just adequate enough for viewers to see what it really is. Paint is also applied in blocks and chunks, and the brush strokes are visible. Brushstrokes are not well-blended, artwork is done in a painterly manner. Blocks of different colours are also placed side by side such that they seem to blend naturally when viewed from afar.

Transcript from the Audio Recording:

Northern France. Play of light across water, reflections of water, recreating the same effects. Short dabs of paint that don't really blend together but creates a kind of optical likeliness.

Monet's paintings are the result of his careful observation of nature. Specific level of attention of detail, from the mast down to the bow. On the very close to top of the mast, there's a very very light orange and red brushstroke when the sunlight begins to hit the boat. Only seen when the artist looks closely and transcribes what he is saying.

Labels: SOVA

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