MONET, Claude
(b. 1840, Paris, d. 1926, Giverny)

The Harbour at Argenteuil

1872
Oil on canvas, 60 x 81 cm
Musée d'Orsay, Paris

Monet settled in Argenteuil in 1871, after his return from England. Apart from minor interruptions, he stayed here 1878. He was followed to Argenteuil by Renoir, Sisley, Pissarro, and Manet.

Monet's picture of the harbour in Argenteuil shows the tree-lined promenade along the bank in soft summer light. The road bridge over the Seine, with one of its tollgate towers, is visible in the background. Individual motifs, in particular the two bridges of the town, recur again and again in the paintings of Monet and of his friends. In addition to the bridge shown here, there was also a railroad bridge, which repeatedly cast its spell over the artist.




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