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Adolphe Monticelli, 'Sunrise', about 1882-4

About the work

Overview

A bright yellow sun rises in the centre of the picture, beside a tree. Its vibrant colour stands out against the rest of the composition, which is darker in tone than its companion piece, Sunset, also in the National Gallery’s collection.

Both Cezanne and Van Gogh were admirers of Monticelli’s use of impasto (thickly applied paint), and the directional brushstrokes in his later work. This painting, which is typical of Monticelli’s late style, appears to have been painted outdoors. Cezanne and Monticelli were very good friends during the 1880s, and they often used to go off together to paint in the open air. It was perhaps during one of these outdoor sessions that Monticelli painted Sunrise, which is usually dated to about 1882–4.

Key facts

Details

Full title
Sunrise
Artist dates
1824 - 1886
Date made
about 1882-4
Medium and support
oil on wood
Dimensions
27.9 × 41.3 cm
Inscription summary
Signed
Acquisition credit
Presented as part of the 'Harry Wearne Collection of Twelve Paintings by Monticelli' to the Tate Gallery, 1939; transferred, 1956
Inventory number
NG5007
Location
Not on display
Collection
Main Collection

About this record

If you know more about this painting or have spotted an error, please contact us. Please note that exhibition histories are listed from 2009 onwards. Bibliographies may not be complete; more comprehensive information is available in the National Gallery Library.

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