Cliffs on the Sea Coast: Small Beach, Sunrise (Falaise au bord de la mer, vu Petite Plage, soleil levant) by Gustave Courbet
Cliffs on the Sea Coast: Small Beach, Sunrise (French: Falaise au bord de la mer, vu Petite Plage, soleil levant) by Gustave Courbet, painted in 1869, depicts a dramatic coastal landscape featuring rugged cliffs, a small beach, and the early morning light of sunrise. Courbet, a leading figure of the Realist movement, is renowned for his direct and unembellished approach to depicting nature and landscapes.
The painting captures the stark contrast between the dark, imposing cliffs and the soft, golden hues of the sunrise reflecting on the beach and the sea. Courbet’s meticulous attention to detail is evident in the texture of the rocky cliffs and the nuanced rendering of the light at dawn. His approach emphasizes the raw, natural beauty of the coastal environment, capturing a moment of serene solitude and the powerful presence of nature.
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Where and When Made: France, 1869
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Medium: Oil on canvas
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Full Artwork Name: Cliffs on the Sea Coast: Small Beach, Sunrise (Falaise au bord de la mer, vu Petite Plage, soleil levant)
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Artwork Style: Realism, characterized by an emphasis on detailed and accurate representations of natural landscapes without idealization
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Current Location: In a museum or private collection
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Subject/Topic: Coastal cliffs, a small beach, and the sunrise, showcasing Courbet’s ability to convey the raw and unadorned beauty of nature.
