San Maggiore by Twilight
A Work in Colors by Claude Monet
Context
Monet completed this beautiful piece between 1908 and 1912. Saint-Georges majeur au crépuscule represents one of a collection of views of San Giorgio Maggiore island by the French Painter, as well as his French impressionistic style. San Giorgio Maggiore was a monastery-island in Venice, a popular venue with artists of the time, which Monet encountered on a visit in October 1908. He and his wife remained for several months. During this time, Monet described Venice as "too beautiful to be painted" and returned to his home in Giverny, France with numerous unfinished paintings. All the same, Monet was inspired by his wife's death to give life to the Venetian scenes, one of which featured this sunset at San Giorgio Maggiore.
Saint-Georges majeur au crépuscule is a life study view of San Giorgio Maggiore, placing the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore and its bell tower in the foreground, against a rich sunset of blue, yellow, orange, and red. Monet was drawn to sunset scenes several times, "these splendid sunsets which are unique in the world", and pursues the "nature of experience" through the resulting paintings.
Artistic Themes
Connection with Nature
Saint-Georges majeur au crépuscule measures two-by-three feet, painted in oil on canvas. To the right, you will find an image of San Giorgio Maggiore, photographed at sunset. The ocean is rippled and calm in a manner similar to Monet's depiction. The array of colors in the sky also compare to Monet's work. Nonetheless, the simple realism of this photograph loses the emotional perspective that Monet imposes on the scene, through his blending of colors and blurring of lines. There's magic in Monet's style; the haunting manner with which he depicts imposing, mysterious buildings. The brown-and-red blur that represents the church and tower seem to appear, supernaturally, from the surrounding landscape, seemingly floating in the background. Saint-Georges majeur au crépuscule demonstrates Monet's connection with the natural world. He organically overlays what may have been a simple scene (as seen in the photograph) with personal feeling to create a somber, nostalgic tone. His understanding of nature's aesthetics and effect is evident in his ability t personify his emotions in painting and humanize the sunset.
A Bittersweet Ending
Sunsets are often affiliated with endings, and endings with bittersweet nostalgia and resignation. The concurrence of Alice Hoschedé's death and this painting's composition augments such feelings, which Monet communicates most effectively through color. His gentle palette of hot and cool colors blends in one smooth complexion that expresses the anger and pain as well as tired acceptance of this period in Claude Monet's life. Just as the death of a loved one is a typically bittersweet ending, the sunset can encapsulate such emotions. Although Monet started this painting prior to his wife's death, he completed it at the time, when the tragedy resonated through his work.
The Work's Beauty
I have never experienced a work by Monet that didn't affect me. His gentle characters, emotional nuances, and exquisite use of colors establish a style that calls to me in a natural quiet manner. Beyond the extraordinary aesthetic qualities of Monet's work, I enjoy how personal he makes each piece. The scene is not just a scene, not just a landscape, not just a sunset, but a medium over which he communicates. The subtlety with which he accomplishes this, especially in this piercing work, is more beautiful than the message itself; what I mean to say is, although the tragedy of his wife's death and his love of nature are meaningful, I find the manner with which he portrays this ideas the most unique, creative, artistic, intelligent, and therein, beautiful.
