At Val Saint-Nicolas near Dieppe, Morning 1897

Claude Monet painted ‘At Val Saint-Nicolas near Dieppe, Morning’ with oil paints on canvas. These were of course, industrial materials, made in factories, distributed widely and sold at a reasonable price. It is interesting to observe Monet's brushstrokes, and the way he layers paint to capture the effects of light on the cliffs and sea. The texture of the brushstrokes adds depth and movement to the scene. Monet, like other impressionist painters, was concerned with capturing fleeting moments and sensory impressions, rather than achieving perfect fidelity. The looseness of the brushwork and the visible layering of colors, all contribute to the character of the work. Consider that the paintings in this style required a move outdoors, away from the studio and the academy. Monet often worked en plein air, directly in front of his subject. The artist's engagement with the landscape and the act of painting become part of the artwork's meaning. Ultimately, by focusing on the materials and processes involved in creating the work, we gain a deeper understanding of Monet's artistic vision.