The Flood at Argenteuil
- Original dimensions
- 73 x 54 cm
- Museum
- Artizon Museum
- Year
- 1872
Scene depicted
The canvas reproduces a poignant moment when the Seine overflows, submerging the quays and the homes of Argenteuil . The warm colors blend with a touch of melancholy, revealing the duality between the force of nature and the intimacy of everyday life. The white sails of the boats dissolve into an aquatic setting, testifying to the inevitability of this flood, but also to the elegance that refuses this tragic scene.
Historical context
Year: 1872 |BRK| Museum: Artizon Museum |BRK| Dimensions: 73 x 54 cm
Place in the artist's career
The Flood at Argenteuil represents a turning point in Monet's career, reflecting his artistic maturation. Between his beginnings with Impression, Sunrise and his confirmed mastery in The Water Lilies , this painting captures the creative challenge of the painter during the transition to a bolder approach to colors and lights.
Anecdote
Monet once stated: “It is not about what I see, but about what I feel.” It is precisely this vision that led to the creation of this masterpiece : on a spring morning, the artist was struck by the shimmering reflection of the sky in the rising waters, transforming a tragic event into a vibrant ode to French beauty.