The Seine at Lavacourt, Ice Breakup
1880
Monet braved the biting cold of the winter of 1879-1880 to paint this scene of the Seine river thawing out near the village of Lavacourt. The French word 'débâcle' in the title refers to the chaotic breaking up of ice floes, captured here with thick, horizontal strokes of icy blue and grey that mimic the movement of the water. Above the river, a soft, pinkish-grey sky reflects the pale light of a winter day, prioritizing the freezing atmosphere and fleeting light over sharp details.
- Technique
- Oil on canvas
Views: 6