Regatta at Argenteuil (Les Régates à Argenteuil)
Painting on canvas • Claude Monet
Style & Movement
Impressionism
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas, utilizing plein-air technique, rapid broken brushstrokes, and wet-on-wet application (alla prima) to capture transient light effects.
Creation Period
Circa 1872-1874
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 48 x 75 cm; Landscape format
Subject Description
A maritime scene depicting sailboats on the Seine at Argenteuil. The composition features a high horizon line and focuses on the rhythmic movement of white sails against a dappled sky and flickering water reflections. It captures the leisure culture of the Parisian middle class during the late 19th century.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good; the canvas appears stable with well-preserved impasto, though typical age-related varnish discoloration and minor craquelure are present.
Estimated Market Value
$25,000,000 - $45,000,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$20,000,000 - $40,000,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely passed through the hands of Paul Durand-Ruel or another major Impressionist dealer in the late 19th/early 20th century. Numerous versions of this subject exist in major institutional collections such as the Musée d'Orsay.
Art Historical Significance
A seminal example of high Impressionism. Monet's Argenteuil period is considered the pinnacle of the movement's focus on light, water, and modern life. It marks the transition from academic realism to a focus on optical perception.
Notable Features
Features a visible signature in the lower right corner. The brushwork in the reflections is particularly representative of Monet's 'comma' stroke technique used to represent moving water.
Condition Issues
Minor surface grime, localized stable craquelure consistent with age, and slight yellowing of the protective varnish layer.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional surface cleaning and potential varnish thinning by a qualified conservator. Should be maintained in a climate-controlled environment with UV-filtered lighting.