It is estimated between 4 and (almost) 6 million euros (i.e. between 3 million 5 and 5 million pounds sterling)! A painting by Claude Monet representing a view of the sea from the cliffs of Dieppe is up for auction this Wednesday, March 2 in London, at the Sotheby’s auction house. It’s called “On the cliff near Dieppe, setting sun” and was painted in 1897. It actually depicts sea, sky and cliffs, in a style inspired by Japanese prints in pastel shades of pink, blue, with some yellow and green.
“This ‘selfie’ side in front of a sunset” makes it a “happy painting”
The Norman art historian Géraldine Lefebvre, specialist in the painter Claude Monet and who worked at the MuMa in Le Havre for 15 years, knows this painting well, which she describes as “modern” and of “sensual”.
“It’s a painting that shows what Normandy has at its most beautiful”according to the historian: “It’s a pretty happy painting, this side of the sunset, ‘selfie’ in front of a sunset, this meeting of the sea and the sky, these large flat areas of color, it’s really a very happy painting!”
This happy side still contains a concern facing a world about to change: “Monet comes to paint a place that is evolving, changing and he is worried about it!”
A place that is about to be redeveloped for tourists
“He who came in 1882 loves this place”explains the specialist, “Monet likes the movements of the ground, the rounded shapes of these movements of the ground, there is moreover a very great sensuality in his way of painting these rounded shapes of the cliffs and in fact, he is worried because the whole place is going soon to be closed to the public! This set which is very wild is about to be completely transformed and redeveloped for tourists.”
The historian believes that the painting can absolutely be sold at the maximum of the estimated price if an enthusiast shows up.
For the little story, another painting by Monet auctioned in June 2021 in Tours did not find a buyer but it was a view of the city of Dieppe, considered more austere and perhaps less in keeping with current tastes. This painting had been exhibited in Dieppe the month before the auction and the people of Dieppe had been able to see it up close.