In the Norvegienne by Claude Monet

This work of great poetic delicacy beautifully captures the boating activities of the artist’s family by the river. Entitled “In the Norvegienne” under the inspired brush of Claude Monet, this canvas privileges the harmony of blue and green hues. The painter explores the dissolution of forms through the prism of calm water and its mysterious reflections.

Three elegant young women have taken their place aboard a deep blue wooden rowboat. One of them, standing at the bow, holds a fishing rod with a graceful attitude, while her two companions are seated in the center of the boat. They wear vaporous white and blue dresses as well as light hats to protect themselves from the sun. The tranquil river, painted in dark shades of blue and green, comes alive with perfect reflections of the silhouettes and the surrounding vegetation. In the background, a wall of dense and mysterious foliage closes the horizon, plunging the scene into wild intimacy.

This painting illustrates the artist’s exceptional artisanal craftsmanship in the treatment of aquatic reflections and transparencies. His technique of fluid oil paint strokes confers a dreamlike softness and remarkable vitality to the whole. It is a masterpiece of subtlety.