A Masterpiece in the Storm: Claude Monet’s Mer agitée à Pourville Captures the Power of Nature
The painting Mer agitée à Pourville is one of Claude Monet’s most outstanding works and part of a series of coastal scenes he created in the early 1880s. This period marks a creative zenith for the artist, during which he redefined the dramatic coastline of Normandy with its striking natural scenery. The painting, completed in February 1882 during a stay in Pourville, exemplifies Monet’s tireless dedication to capturing the raw, untamed beauty of nature.
Coastal Paintings: A Redefinition of Marine Art
Monet, whose artistic roots lie in the port city of Le Havre, approached the marine landscape in a way that brought new vitality to its classical tradition. He depicted the ever-changing interplay of light, weather, and colour with a bold immediacy that does not merely show the sea but makes it tangible. “La nature ne s’arrête pas” – “Nature never stands still,” Monet once said, reflecting his commitment to painting en plein air in all weather conditions.
An extraordinary example of his unrelenting determination can be found in a 1927 account by journalist François Thiébault-Sisson. He described Monet painting in a storm on the cliffs of Étretat, securing his easel with ropes and braving the elements until a wave nearly swept him away. This relentless pursuit of authenticity, this battle against the forces of nature, is vividly felt in Mer agitée à Pourville.
Storm and Solitude in Pourville
The painting depicts the stormy sea off the cliffs of Pourville, a small fishing village near Dieppe that Monet visited in the winter of 1882. The viewer’s perspective is positioned directly at the water’s edge, gazing over the turbulent sea, whose white-capped waves break against the dark blue-green swells. The grey-violet sky is laden with menacing storm clouds, while two tiny ship silhouettes appear on the distant horizon.
The foreground, rendered in sombre earth tones, casts the rocky shore in a brooding atmosphere, contrasting sharply with the bright foam of the restless sea. The composition captures the raw power of nature alongside its sublime beauty. Monet draws the viewer directly into the scene, evoking the wind’s force and the thunderous sound of the waves.
A Pivotal Moment in Monet’s Career
Spring 1882 was a significant period for Monet, not only for his productive time in Pourville but also for a major career milestone. At the 7ᵐᵉ exposition des artistes indépendants, he exhibited 35 works, including coastal scenes from Fécamp, which were widely acclaimed. Critics such as Ernest Chesneau praised his marine paintings for their vividness and lifelike depiction of motion. “For the first time,” Chesneau wrote, “I feel with such intensity the swelling and long sighs of the sea, the water’s retreat as the tide withdraws, the grey-green tones of deep water and the violet hues of shallow water over its sandy bed.”
Mer agitée à Pourville was likely purchased directly from Monet by his dealer Paul Durand-Ruel, who played a crucial role in securing the artist’s international success. The painting later became part of the collection of American businessman Catholina Lambert, whose renowned art collection exemplified his discerning taste.
A Masterpiece of Impressionism
Claude Monet’s Mer agitée à Pourville is more than a painting – it is an ode to the unbridled power of nature and a testament to the revolutionary art of France’s greatest Impressionist. With his unparalleled ability to merge light, colour, and movement, Monet created a lasting icon of art history, now awaiting a new chapter in its appreciation.
Auction
Auction 1256 - Modern Art - Evening Sale

Auction
Friday 29 November
6 pm Lot | 1 – 76
Please note that live bidding on platforms other than Lempertz’s platform is subject to additional fees.
Preview
Saturday November 23rd
10 am - 4 pm
Sunday November 24
11 am - 4 pm
Monday November 25 - Thursday November 28
10 am - 5.30 pm
MATINÉE
Saturday November 23,
11 am
Isabel Apiarius-Hanstein meets curator and cultural advisor
Chantal Blatzheim (Fondation Beyeler) for a conversation about a life
with and for art and the highlights of the fall auctions.
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MUNICH
In selection A selection
St.-Anna-Platz 3, 80538 Munich
Vernissage Monday, November 4, 6 - 9 pm
Tuesday, November 5 and Wednesday, November 6
10 am - 5 pm
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BRUSSELS
A selection
Grote Hertstraat 6, Rue du Grand Cerf, 1000 Brussels
Vernissage Wednesday November 6,
6 - 9 pm
Thursday, November 7 - Saturday, November 9,
11 am - 5 pm