The artwork titled “Rock Arch West of Etretat (The Manneport)” was created by the notable Impressionist artist Claude Monet in 1883. It is an oil on canvas with dimensions of 65.4 x 81.3 cm (25 3/4 x 32 in.) and belongs to the landscape genre as part of “The Manneport” series. This piece of Impressionist art is currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, New York, United States.
Upon examination of the artwork, one can observe the harmonious blend of natural elements that Monet is renowned for capturing. The painting features the rugged beauty of the Manneport rock arch formation, located to the west of Etretat in Normandy, France. A visual majesty is created by the interplay of light and color, which is a signature characteristic of Monet’s approach to landscape painting. The use of dappled brushstrokes constructs the sensation of the undulating sea as it collides with the arch while the play of light and shadow across the rock surface suggests the fleeting quality of nature’s grandeur. The sky above is depicted with soft tones, further emphasizing the impression of a specific, transient moment in time as conveyed through Monet’s skillful impressionistic technique.
