Rouen Cathedral, the West Portal and Saint-Romain Tower, Full Sunlight (Le Portail et la tour Saint-Romain, plein soleil)
Monochrome print or reproduction on paper • Claude Monet (1840–1926)
Style & Movement
Impressionism
Medium & Technique
Mechanical print/lithograph (based on the original oil on canvas); original employed impasto and optical color mixing
Creation Period
Original painted in 1894; this reproduction/print likely 20th century
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 10 x 8 inches; Vertical portrait format
Subject Description
A close-up view of the facade of Rouen Cathedral. The composition focuses on the portal and the Saint-Romain tower, capturing the dissolution of form under intense atmospheric light.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; showing slight age-toning to the paper and a small localized mark in the bottom margin
Estimated Market Value
$50 - $200 (as a modern decorative print); original masterpiece is worth tens of millions
Auction Estimate
$30 - $150
Provenance History
Unknown; likely an after-market print or museum publication, housed in a contemporary gilded decorative frame
Art Historical Significance
The Rouen Cathedral series is a cornerstone of Impressionism, representing Monet's peak experimentation with seriality and the ephemeral nature of light and time.
Notable Features
Includes a facsimile signature 'Claude Monet 94' in the lower left corner; classic 'after Monet' commercial reproduction style
Condition Issues
Paper yellowing (toning), minor surface dust, possible humidity-related undulation beneath the glass
Conservation Recommendations
Use UV-protective glass, acid-free matting, and keep away from direct sunlight and high humidity areas