View of the Sea, Normandy 1852

Alexandre Desgoffe made this pastel drawing of a view of the Normandy sea. It depicts a classic vista, a kind that, by the mid-19th century, had become increasingly popular for artists wishing to capture the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere. Desgoffe was trained within the French academic system, and pastel was a key medium for preparatory sketches. The mid-19th century was also a time of rapid industrial development, and for many, the sea represented an escape from the pressures of urban life. Normandy, with its dramatic cliffs and wide beaches, became a popular destination for artists and tourists alike. We know that Desgoffe travelled widely, often on government-sponsored missions. He was, among other things, documenting public works. To further understand this work, we would want to know the precise date, and something of Desgoffe's personal attitudes toward the changing social landscape of France.