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19 century collection

'Break-up of the ice on the Seine, near Bennecourt' c. 1892-93

Claude Monet (1840-1926)

This painting is a landscape scene of water, trees, mountains and sky which divide the painting in sections. The canvas is split horizontally down the centre with a division between water and land. However, the whole canvas is flat and tonal and has Monet's textural brushwork.

Oil on canvas, 65 x 100cm

Accession Number WAG 6133

This shows a wintry early morning view towards two of the narrow islands of trees at Bennecourt near Giverny on the River Seine.

By 1890 Monet complemented his on-the-spot Impressionist practice with extensive re-working in the studio. This resulted in many pictures with close-toned atmospheric harmonies. This is most famously evident in his Rouen Cathedral and haystack series, but can also be seen in this work.

Purchased in 1962 with the help of the V&A Purchase Grant Fund.