Pourville, near Dieppe 1882

Claude Monet captured this scene at Pourville near Dieppe using oil on canvas, a traditional pairing for landscape painting at the time. The materiality of the paint itself is really important to the image. Notice how Monet applied it in short, loose strokes, especially in the sky and water. These strokes capture the way light flickers and dances across the surface. The texture isn't smooth or blended, but rather alive with the energy of the moment. The way Monet built up the layers of paint also speaks to the labor involved in creating the artwork. It’s not just about replicating a scene, it's about building it up, stroke by stroke, to convey the feeling of being there. In some ways, this method mirrors the slow, incremental processes of nature itself, like the weathering of the cliffs or the ceaseless motion of the sea. Ultimately, understanding the materials and methods that Monet used allows us to appreciate not only what he saw, but also how he experienced the world.