The Poppy Field (Les Coquelicots)
Print (Mechanical reproduction) on paper • Claude Monet (After)
Style & Movement
Impressionism
Medium & Technique
Offset lithographic reproduction of an oil painting. The original by Monet was oil on canvas.
Creation Period
Original painting 1873; this print appears to be late 20th century (c. 1970s-1990s).
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 20 x 24 inches; Landscape format.
Subject Description
A field of vibrant red poppies near Argenteuil, featuring a woman (Camille Monet) and child (Jean Monet) walking through the meadow under a bright, cloud-filled sky.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good. Notable sun-fading (loss of blue/red intensity) and minor acidification of the paper margins.
Estimated Market Value
$20 - $50 USD
Auction Estimate
$10 - $30 USD
Provenance History
Mass-produced decorative print. Likely acquired through a museum gift shop or commercial gallery. Features copyright/printer text at the bottom margin.
Art Historical Significance
The original painting is a cornerstone of the Impressionist movement, first exhibited at the 1874 Impressionist Exhibition. As a print, it represents the global democratization of high art through mass reproduction.
Notable Features
Includes a credit line at the bottom identifying the printer/publisher and the Musée d'Orsay, Paris, where the original reside.
Condition Issues
Fading of pigments due to UV exposure; slight rippling of the paper ('cockling'); minor yellowing of the matting.
Conservation Recommendations
Glass replacement with UV-protective museum glass is suggested if further fading is to be prevented. Keep out of direct sunlight.