Adolphe Monticelli, 'Sunset', about 1882-4
About the work
Overview
The sun sets roughly in the centre of the picture, behind two tree trunks. The thick yellow paint expands from the sky to the foreground, and Monticelli has applied it using short, directional brushstrokes which allow him better to convey the light. Portions of the wooden panel used as a support are left partly visible, especially along the borders, to play a part in the final image. In fact, the warm tone of the support gives vibrancy to the composition.
This is a companion piece to the artist’s Sunrise. Both works are typical of Monticelli’s later style, and the subjects are characteristic of his Provençal landscapes. This landscape was probably painted outdoors, in the last years of the artist’s life, around 1882–4.
Key facts
Details
- Full title
- Sunset
- Artist
- Adolphe Monticelli
- Artist dates
- 1824 - 1886
- Date made
- about 1882-4
- Medium and support
- oil on wood
- Dimensions
- 31.8 × 44.8 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
- NG5008
- Location
- Not on display
- Collection
- Main Collection
Provenance
Additional information
Text extracted from the ‘Provenance’ section of the catalogue entry in Martin Davies, with additions and some revisions by Cecil Gould, ‘National Gallery Catalogues: French School: Early 19th Century, Impressionists, Post-Impressionists, etc.’, London 1970; for further information, see the full catalogue entry.
Bibliography
-
1957Martin Davies, National Gallery Catalogues: French School, 2nd edn (revised), London 1957
-
1970Davies, Martin, and Cecil Gould, National Gallery Catalogues: French School: Early 19th Century, Impressionists, Post-Impressionists etc., London 1970
-
2001
C. Baker and T. Henry, The National Gallery: Complete Illustrated Catalogue, London 2001
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.