Ιmpression, sunrise in the port of Le Havre

Ιmpression, sunrise in the port of Le Havre: investigation into a masterpiece

The next lecture in the Gallery’s Wednesday Lecture series will be held on 6 May at 19:30. Our guest speaker is Géraldine Lefebvre, Art Historian, Attachée de Conservation at the Musée d'Art Moderne André Malraux.

Ms Lefebvre will discuss one of the world’s most famous paintings, 'Impression, Sunrise' by Claude Monet; this masterpiece is held in the permanent collection of the Musée Marmottan Monet, which is dedicated to Impressionist art. Until very recently, there had been no analytical study of this work, and so its intent, its subject, even its date of creation were unsolved mysteries. No one -until now, that is- had ever fully answered the following questions: Does this painting depict Le Havre at sunset, or at sunrise? When was it painted… 1872, 1873?

An exhibition entitled 'Monet’s Impression, Sunrise: The Biography of a Painting' was recently held at the Musée Marmottan Monet (September 18th 2014-January 18th 2015). This show, together with the research undertaken for the exhibition catalogue allowed both very precise dating for the work and what it represents to be established.

Ms Lefebvre will share with us the recent research and findings on the painting, and will also clarify the historical context, insofar as the painting depicts Le Havre during the late 1860s and early 1870s, a time of radical transformations to the harbor.

The lecture will be delivered in English, and seating is limited. To reserve a place, please call 22668838 ext. 100, Ms Demetra Antonara (Monday-Friday 10:00-16:00) or email [email protected] by Monday 4 May.