1865
oil
canvas
From the collection of Art Institute of Chicago
Cliffs on the Sea Coast: Small Beach, Sunrise (Falaise au bord de la mer, vu Petite Plage, soleil levant) is a 1865 oil by Gustave Courbet, a Realism work, held at Art Institute of Chicago.
This painting shows a serene coastal scene. The rocky cliffs, covered in greenery, slope down to a small beach on the left side of the image. In the foreground, the beach is dotted with dark rocks, and the sea stretches out to the right, meeting the horizon. The sky above is a soft blend of yellow and gray hues. A notable detail is the subtle play of light on the water's surface, suggesting the gentle movement of the sea at sunrise. The overall atmosphere is one of calmness and tranquility. To explore more works by the artist who captured this moment, look up Gustave Courbet.
Jean Désiré Gustave Courbet (UK: KOOR-bay; US: koor-BAY; French: ; 10 June 1819 – 31 December 1877) was a French painter who led the Realism movement in 19th-century French painting.
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