Monet "Woman with Parasol"

From: The Phillips Collection
Limited Edition: 14
Exhibition: Impressionists by the Sea
Material: Printed 2-ply vinyl
Dimensions: 30" x 96" (76cm x 243cm)

Hanging Hardware Included

Summary

Claude Monet is known for his thick use of paint, light-infused landscapes, and lively urban scenes. Monet is also admired for the beach scenes he painted along the coasts of Normandy. In these works he explored not only the views of sea, sky and land, but the varied views of beachgoers enjoying a day "a la plage". 14 banners from The Phillips Collection feature a detail of a woman under a parasol enjoying a relaxing day on Trouville's beaches.

Description

French Impressionist Claude Monet spent his childhood in the town of Le Havre, a small harbor town located along the coast of Normandy in northwest France. The closeness Monet felt with his native Normandy’s rugged coastline led to a life-long relationship which was ultimately brought to his canvasses as an artist.

This banner features a detail of one of Monet’s many seaside works painted in Normandy from the 1860s to the 1880s. Beach at Trouville from 1870 focuses not so much on the rocky cliffs and grey seas of the coastal town, but on the daily goings-on of visitors to the beach. On the banner, a young woman in a flowing white dress sits demurely beneath a parasol. Monet’s masterful talent with light is seen in the play of light and shadow on her face and torso. Some areas are bright and pure, others are touched realistically by the mottled shade of her hat or parasol.

Blue bands above and below the image feature white text that reads “The Phillips Collection”, “Impressionists by the Sea/Oct. 20, 2007 – Jan. 13, 2008”. In addition a yellow band at the bottom of the banner includes sponsor information in blue lettering “Lockheed Martin/ National Endowment for the Arts/This exhibition is supported by the Arison Arts Foundation and an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and Humanities. Both sides of this banner are identical.

Provenance

These banners were displayed around Washington, D.C. from October 20, 2007 through January 13, 2008 to promote the exhibition, Impressionists by the Sea at The Phillips Collection. The exhibition was also seen at the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford, Connecticut and the Royal Academy of Arts in London.

About the Artist

Learn more about Claude Monet