The Cliff at Étretat after 1872

"The Cliff at Étretat" is a painting by French Realist artist Gustave Courbet, created after 1872. The work depicts the iconic natural arch of the Alabaster Coast in Normandy, France, with a dramatic, imposing presence. Courbet's signature realistic style is evident in the meticulous detail and accurate portrayal of the cliff's form and the rugged coastline. Small boats at the foot of the cliff add a human scale to the vastness of the natural landscape, emphasizing the power and grandeur of the natural world.