The artwork “Saint-Lazare Station, Exterior View” was painted by the prominent Impressionist artist Claude Monet in 1887. This piece belongs to Monet’s series depicting the Saint-Lazare Station and represents the Impressionist art movement, primarily characterized by its focus on light and its changing qualities. As a cityscape, the artwork portrays an urban environment through the unique lens of Impressionism.
Examining the artwork reveals Monet’s characteristic loose brushwork and interest in light and atmosphere. The depiction of the Saint-Lazare Station is enveloped in a myriad of tones and hues, which are indicative of the transient effects of natural light on the urban landscape. In the foreground, dark outlines of industrial elements contrast with the vibrant, almost ethereal depiction of the city in the background. The steam from the engines blends with the sky, creating a cohesive interplay between the industrial and the natural elements of the scene. The ironwork of the architectural structures adds a rhythmic pattern to the composition, capturing the modernity and energy of the late 19th-century Paris. Monet’s choice to focus on such a contemporary subject matter aligns with the Impressionist movement’s break from traditional historical or mythological themes, further underscoring the significance of everyday modern life in fine art.
