The Departure of the Boats, Étretat 1885

Claude Monet's "The Departure of the Boats, Étretat" (1885) exemplifies the Impressionist movement through its focus on capturing a fleeting moment. The painting depicts a scene of boats setting off from the shore of Étretat, France, with a hazy atmosphere and a distinct sense of movement. The brushstrokes are loose and visible, conveying a sense of immediacy and the artist's perception of light and color. The boats, fishermen, and coastal buildings are rendered in a luminous, almost ethereal manner, suggesting a sense of tranquility and beauty in the ordinary.