Monet "Beach at Trouville"

From: Legion of Honor
Limited Edition: 53
Exhibition: Monet in Normandy
Material: Printed vinyl
Dimensions: 35" x 72" (88cm x 182cm)

Hanging Hardware Included

Summary

The English Channel on France's northwest coast is dotted with charming beaches and towns. Claude Monet painted these beaches in the late 1800's, capturing their people, landmarks, rocky cliffs, and distinctive light. 53 banners are now available featuring Monet's "The Beach at Trouville" from the San Francisco showing of "Monet in Normandy".

Description

Claude Monet is perhaps the most renowned of the Impressionist painters. His ability to capture fleeting moments and transient light make his works true visual treats. He worked in many locations, including urban settings, fields, gardens, and at the beach. In the exhibition Monet in Normandy his delicate snapshots of life along the lovely beaches of Normandy were highlighted. Towns like Deauville, Trouville, Le Havre, Honfleur, and Rouen were caught by Monet's brush, and they are a record of the grey skies, cool breezes, and muted light of the beaches of northern France situated along the English Channel.

Peopled by leisurely strollers out for some fresh air, diners relaxing on terraces, fishing boats lolling in the harbors, or simply the sand, surf, and rocky outcrops of the region, the images give a glimpse into the Normandy beaches of the late 19th century. The beaches would later play a key role in the allied D-Day invasions of World War II. On the beaches today the remnants of bunkers and vast holes left by bomb blasts can still be seen, though largely overgrown by grass and weeds. The American cemetery at Omaha Beach is a somber reminder of the invasions, with fields of white grave markers (close to 10,000) spreading out into the distance. The beaches have since returned to their earlier uses as places of leisure, but the destruction caused during World War II changed the face of many of Normandy's coastal towns.

This banner features Monet's The Beach at Trouville from 1870. Well-dressed women and dapper gentlemen stroll along the boardwalk or make their way down to the shore, children sit playing in the sand, and parasols abound. The scene takes place under a richly rendered Normandy sky, filled with shades of grey, blue, and white. The clouds float above like a heavy blanket with a few holes offering glimpses of the clear blue beyond. The muted greys, blues, greens, and beiges of the painting are punctuated by the brightly-colored flags blowing in the breeze.

These banners were designed to span a street lamp post, so hanging two banners side-by-side would create a large, complete image. On the front, Monet's signature is shown in black on the image, and below is a maroon band with black text that reads "Monet in Normandy/June 17-Sept 17". The logos of various exhibition sponsors are printed in white. On the other side, the image continues. It also has a maroon band below it, with white text that reads "Legion of Honor". The museum's and sponsors' logos are included in this area.

Provenance

These banners were displayed around San Francisco to promote the Legion of Honor's exhibition Monet in Normandy from June 17 through September 17, 2006. The exhibition was also seen at the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh and The Cleveland Museum of Art.

About the Artist

Learn more about Claude Monet