Claude Monet, The Petit Bras of the Seine at Argenteuil

The location of Monet’s house in Argenteuil and the description of its surroundings with a map from the nineteenth century can be found in the references (1) and (2).

Click on the map or on this link for the Google map of this area

References

(1) Francis Frascina, Nigel Blake, Briony Fer, Tamar Garb and Charles Harrison, Modernity and Modernism: French Painting in the Nineteenth Century, Yale University Press, pp. 113-14. Available as pdf.

(2)  Richard R. Brette/l, Scott Schaefer, Sylvie Gache-Patin, and Françoise Heillmin, A Day in the Country: Impressionism and the French Landscape, Chapter III/4 Rivers, Roads and Trains, Harry N. Abrams, 1984, pp. 137-174. Available as pdf.

The pigment analysis is based on the work of the scientists in the National Gallery in London (1).

Monet used a thin mauvish coloured ground which is still visible in the sky. It is based on lead white with traces of black and red ochre.

1 Yellowish foreground: chrome yellow and yellow ochre are the main pigments adjusted with small amounts of white, black, vermilion, viridian and artificial ultramarine.
2 Dark brown foreground: white mixed with vermilion, viridian, yellow and red ochres, artificial ultramarine, chrome yellow and black.

3 Black figures: ivory black with small amounts of chrome yellow and vermilion.
4 Middle distance landscape: tinted greys based on white mixed with artificial ultramarine and combined with red ochre and other pigments.

5 Sky: white with small amounts of yellow. The greenish areas contain a little artificial ultramarine. The tones are enhanced by contrast with the mauvish ground.

References

(1) Bomford D, Kirby J, Leighton, J., Roy A. Art in the Making: Impressionism. National Gallery Publications, London, 1990, pp. 142-147.

(1) Bomford D, Kirby J, Leighton, J., Roy A. Art in the Making: Impressionism. National Gallery Publications, London, 1990, pp. 142-147.

Biography of Claude Oscar Monet, Claudemonetgallery.org

Monet Paintings and Drawings at the Art Institute of Chicago A very thorough and interactive catalog of Monet’s works at the Art Institute of Chicago. Contains detailed information on the history, provenance, and technical aspects of the paintings and drawings.