Sunset at Ambleteuse 1899

Theo van Rysselberghe made this oil on canvas painting, titled 'Sunset at Ambleteuse', to capture a vivid landscape. Its dazzling display of light and colour invites us to consider it in the context of late 19th-century European art. Rysselberghe was Belgian, but this work places him in the orbit of French neo-impressionism and pointillism. Notice the many small touches of paint creating a shimmering surface. This was a technique developed in France by Seurat and Signac, partly inspired by new scientific theories about light and colour. But these artists were also motivated by a social vision. They believed that by using modern techniques they could create art that would appeal to a broader public and reflect contemporary life. In researching this painting, we could consult exhibition catalogues and contemporary art criticism to better understand its place in the art world of its time. What we see in this artwork reflects the cultural values that shaped its creation.