At Cap d'Antibes, Mistral Wind 1888

Claude Monet captured the essence of the French Riviera in "At Cap d'Antibes, Mistral Wind", using oil on canvas. The painting presents a vibrant scene with a focus on the interplay of light and color. Notice how Monet employs short, broken brushstrokes to construct the landscape. The foreground foliage is rendered in a mix of greens, yellows, and browns, creating a textured surface that leads the eye towards the deep blue sea. A small sailboat sits on the horizon, framed by distant mountains under a pale sky. Monet was deeply invested in how light transforms our perception of the natural world. His technique reflects a shift away from traditional representation, focusing instead on the subjective experience of seeing. The visible brushstrokes and the emphasis on capturing fleeting moments reflect a departure from academic painting, inviting viewers to engage with the sensory experience of the landscape. This approach destabilizes fixed perspectives, offering a more fluid understanding of the world.