Claude Monet’s Arrival of the Normandy Train, Gare Saint-Lazare
Monet’s Arrival of the Normandy Train, Gare Saint-Lazare (1877) is the embodiment
of the major ideas reflected in impressionists’ art. The medium is oil on canvas,
and the dimensions are 60.3 × 80.2 cm (23 3/4 × 31 1/2 in.) (Monet). Impressionists
showed the development of the urban environment at the end of the 19th century
(Brodskaïa). In the picture under analysis, a train station is depicted, with a
special prominence on the glass-and-iron train shed (see fig. 1).
In the best tradition of impressionism, the artist demonstrated the changing
quality of light. By using harsh brushstrokes, Monet was able to depict each
element of the scene accurately and distinctly. The colors prevailing in the
picture are the shades of gray, blue, and green. The painting is regarded as the
inauguration of Monet’s “established pattern” of painting a peculiar motif
regularly to capture “subtle and temporal atmospheric changes” (Monet).
Arrival of the Normandy train, Gare Saint-Lazare.
Fig. 1. Arrival of the Normandy train, Gare Saint-Lazare (Monet).
Vincent van Gogh’s The Bedroom
Van Gogh’s The Bedroom (1889) belongs to the post-impressionism period. The medium
of the painting is oil on canvas, and the dimensions are 73.6 × 92.3 cm (29 × 36
5/8 in.) (van Gogh). Post-impressionists’ are known to have rejected the natural
reflection of light in impressionists’ works (Brodskaïa). The image under analysis
demonstrates this feature since van Gogh concentrated on the expressive content
rather than a precise depiction of light in the room (see fig. 2).
The colors used by the artist are bright, the tints of lilac, yellow, red, and
green prevailing over others. The creation of The Bedroom marked the moment when
van Gogh obtained his own home for the first time (van Gogh). At the time, the
painter was enthusiastic about decorating the rooms. As it is evident from the
painting, the artist decorated the bedroom with his own artistic works. Although
van Gogh considered The Bedroom to be the expression of “utter repose,” it seems to
bear the effect of anxiety due to the “sharply receding” perspective (van Gogh).
The bedroom.
Fig. 2. The bedroom (van Gogh).
Comparison of the Two Paintings
It is possible to analyze the context of the two paintings from several angles.
First of all, the people involved in the creation of each work should be mentioned.
There is no information available on the patrons and viewers of both images, but it
is known that Monet sold his work soon after completing it, whereas van Gogh
presented his to his brother (Monet; van Gogh). In both cases, no one but the
creator was involved in the process of work.
Another similarity is the warm reception of the paintings by the public. For Monet,
Arrival of the Normandy Train was one in the sequence of twelve paintings with the
same subject, which means that the choice of scenery was rather successful (Monet).
For van Gogh, the success was even more pronouncing since he made two more copies
of the same painting, which were almost identical to the original (van Gogh).
Hence, it is viable to conclude that the response of contemporary critics was
highly positive.
1 hour!
The minimum time our certified writers need to deliver a 100% original paper
Another angle of contextual analysis is related to the physical work of art.
Monet’s painting was created in 1877, and van Gogh’s – in 1889. The slight
difference in the time dimension brought about considerable changes in artistic
movements. Monet was the representative of impressionism, whereas van Gogh
represented post-impressionism. The two styles were closely related in time and
manner, the latter emerging as a result of the former. In fact, many post-
impressionists used to be impressionists first (Brodskaïa). Since both artists were
prominent representatives of their respective styles, it is possible to assume that
their techniques were new in some way. Both Monet and van Gogh used a rather common
technique (oil on canvas) to create their paintings.
Finally, it is crucial to discuss the larger social issues presented by the two
paintings. The social context in Monet’s painting was vivid, whereas in van Gogh’s
picture, there was no social issue depicted. In the tradition of impressionism,
Monet concentrated on the development of urbanization, which was a serious social
change at the time. Meanwhile, van Gogh’s painting was dedicated to personal
experience, so there was no important social message in it.
Conclusion
Monet’s Arrival of the Normandy Train, Gare Saint-Lazare and van Gogh’s The Bedroom
were created under the influence of different artistic movements and had dissimilar
subjects. However, it is still possible to identify some similarities between the
two works, such as the use of bold brushstrokes, expressive representation of
colors, and the popularity of both paintings with contemporary viewers. The main
contrast, however, is in social importance: Monet’s work of art represents a
significant social change, while van Gogh’s painting concentrates on his life
experience.
Works Cited
Brodskaïa, Nathalia. Impressionism and Post-Impressionism. Parkstone International,
2018.
Monet, Claude. Arrival of the Normandy Train, Gare Saint-Lazare. 1877. Art
Institute Chicago. Web.
van Gogh, Vincent. The Bedroom. 1889. Art Institute Chicago. Web.
