The artwork entitled “The Jetty at Le Havre, Bad Weather” is a cityscape oil painting created by the renowned Impressionist artist Claude Monet in 1870. Its dimensions are 60 x 50 cm, and it belongs to the Impressionism art movement, characterized by its revolutionary approach to depicting light and color. Recently, the artwork is held in a private collection, which indicates its value and the continued appreciation for Monet’s contribution to art history.
In this evocative scene by Monet, the viewer is presented with a dramatic coastal environment at Le Havre. The artwork is infused with a sense of movement and atmosphere characteristic of Impressionist paintings. The sky, filled with tumultuous clouds, looms over the churning sea, with waves cresting and breaking before it reaches the jetty. A ship, sails furled and flying a flag, seems to be battling the rough waters, while smaller boats navigate the turbulent sea nearby. On the jetty itself, figures stand against the wind—some in groups, others alone—observing the scene. The artwork captures the interaction of natural elements and human activity, as well as the play of light on the water and the silhouetted figures against the overcast sky, demonstrating the transient moments that Impressionism sought to portray. The use of quick brushstrokes and the contrast between the dark tones of the figures and the jetty against the lighter, more dynamic sky and sea, serves to heighten the dramatic effect of the painting.
