Cliffs along the Normandy Coast 

Here we see "Cliffs along the Normandy Coast," a work by Maxime Lalanne. Lalanne, a 19th-century artist, worked during a time of significant social change in France, marked by industrialization and urbanization which were dramatically altering the French landscape and the character of French society. This work really captures a burgeoning sense of the individual's relationship to nature, but also the societal relationships to land and borders. Consider that the Normandy coast, while a place of beauty, is also a strategic border. This piece asks us to reflect on the boundaries that define nations and territories. As you gaze upon the cliffs, consider the countless individuals, perhaps refugees, immigrants, or soldiers, who have looked upon these shores with hope, fear, or longing. Lalanne invites us to consider our place within the landscape, and to understand our connection to the natural world and to each other.