Artwork
Cliffs at Ouessant, Brittany
Cliffs at Ouessant, Brittany is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Henry Moret. It dates from 1901 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. Created in 1901, this oil painting portrays the stark cliffs and lighthouse of Ouessant, an island off Brittany’s coast.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The composition specifically features the dramatic cliffs of the island alongside the Stiff lighthouse, a prominent navigational aid situated on the site.
Painted in 1901, this oil on canvas depicts the rugged coastal landscape of Ouessant (also known as Ushant) in Brittany. The composition specifically features the dramatic cliffs of the island alongside the Stiff lighthouse, a prominent navigational aid situated on the site. As a work by Henry Moret, the painting represents a focus on the natural topography and maritime infrastructure of the French coast, capturing the interplay between the geological formations and the man-made structure against the sea.
Technique & Style
Cliffs at Ouessant, Brittany is an oil painting executed on canvas. Created in 1901, the work measures 65.1 cm in height and 81 cm in width. The composition depicts the cliffs of Ouessant and the Stiff lighthouse, rendered in the medium of oil paint. The painting is currently held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
Legacy
Cliffs at Ouessant, Brittany (1901) by Henry Moret has been recognized for its vivid portrayal of the Breton coastline and its role in early 20th-century French landscape painting. The work is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, where it is noted for its textured application of oil paint and its influence on subsequent regionalist artists. Its depiction of the Stiff lighthouse and surrounding cliffs continues to inform studies of Moret’s engagement with coastal topography.
Overview
Created in 1901, this oil painting portrays the stark cliffs and lighthouse of Ouessant, an island off Brittany’s coast. The composition captures the meeting of rock and sea, with a small vessel near the beacon on a grassy promontory. The work belongs to the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.
History & Provenance
The painting was produced by Henry Moret, a French artist linked to the Pont‑Aven colony, known for his coastal subjects. After its creation, the work entered the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, where it remains on view as part of the museum’s European paintings holdings.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Henry Moret (French pronunciation:; 12 December 1856 – 5 May 1913) was a French Impressionist painter.
