The Normandy Train

Art plays a large part in our daily lives. We may not notice how much, but by looking around you will see art everywhere. Art is not just a painting hanging in a museum, it’s in your homes from tableware to family photographs. During this Unit, three artworks from the impressionism period will be chosen for review.

Impressionist Artworks

“In 1874, a group of painters who had been denied the right to show in the Salon of 1873 organized an independent exhibition of their work. These artists, opposing academic doctrines and Romaic ideals, turned instead to the portrayal of contemporary life. They took their canvases outdoors and sought to paint “impressions” of what the eye actually sees, rather than what the mind know” (Prebles’ Artforms p.339). Impressionism is the image of an object as someone would see it if they just caught a quick glance of it. Most impressionist artists use landscapes and outdoor scenes.

Arrival of the Normandy Train

(Artist – Claude Monet)

The train has rolled into the train station with a second train in the rear, blowing coal smoke from their smoke stacks, oh, the smoke is not coal smoke but steam. It appears that the Normandy is a steam train.. People are milling about, some waiting to board the trains, some folks getting off the train. The artist does not focus on the travelers, their faces are a blur to the viewer. The artist’s focal point is the train and sky, with huge puffs of grey smoke racing up to what seems to be an overcast sky. The sky colors are magnificent with their shades of blue indicating possible rain yet to come. The building surrounding the train station seems to be quick sketches, no real focus on them. The main focus point is the larger train “the Normandy” which has stopped underneath the glass covered train station.

Sunrise (Claude Monet)

Sunrise, one of the most beautiful times of the day. Everything looks fresh and untouched, the water has barely a tremble of...