Poplars on the Epte
- Artist: Claude Monet
- Date: 1891
- Medium: Oil on canvas
- Museum: The National Gallery
- Collection record: The National Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is "Poplars on the Epte" by Claude Monet. Painted in 1891, this oil on canvas work is one of a series of twenty-three paintings depicting poplar trees along the river Epte in France.
Monet began working on these paintings in the spring of that year, but just as he was finishing up, the townspeople decided to cut down the trees. Luckily for Monet, a local wood merchant agreed to save them temporarily, allowing him to complete his series.
The unique aspect of this painting is the way Monet views the poplars from a low vantage point, using a flat-bottomed boat to capture their silhouettes against the sky. This perspective emphasizes their formal qualities and creates a sense of calmness in the viewer.
Monet's use of light and shadow here is typical of his impressionist style, with the warm sunlight casting a serene atmosphere over the scene. As you look at this painting, consider how Monet's decision to save these trees had a significant impact on the final outcome of his work.
See it in person
Poplars on the Epte hangs in The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
