A Seascape, Shipping by Moonlight
1864
Before he became the poster boy for sunny water lilies, a young Claude Monet was obsessed with the dramatic, moody side of nature. In this stormy night scene, thick slashes of white and deep blue paint crash together to create a turbulent sea illuminated by a hidden moon. You can spot a chugging steamship on the left and a traditional sailboat on the right, capturing a moment of transition in the 19th-century shipping world. Painted in 1864, this piece shows the early sparks of Impressionism, where capturing the fleeting effect of light mattered more than perfect details. It currently hangs in the National Gallery in London.
Location: National Gallery, London
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