Once one of Medieval Europe's leading cities, Rouen, France is now a busy seaport and historical gem. And here, amidst many churches erected over the centuries, is acclaimed painter Monet's muse: Rouen Catherdral in Rouen France.
Begun around 1050 AD, Rouen Cathedral rests on the site of several previous churches. As a result of several reconstruction projects, the Cathedral offers several different styles of architecture all rolled into one: Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance elements.
Of all the many beautiful churches in Rouen, this one certainly demands one's attention. And it wasn't just mine. Famous impressionist Claude Monet painted a series on the church, most of the facade. He painted nearly thirty portraits of the cathedral over a two-year period.
Monet was experimenting with color, and painted the exact same scene repeatedly, only in different hues. More can be learned about Monet's objectives in this Wikipedia article on the Monet's Cathedral Series.
After touring the cathedral, I and my party walked around town until stumbling upon the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Rouen. With free entry, we decided in a spur of a moment to go in and check things out.
To my small surprise, the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Rouen displays Monet's Rouen Cathedral, Facade and the Tour d'Albane. Grey Weather, painted in 1894.
How wonderful it was to view this picture just an hour after touring the Cathedral, itself!
The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Rouen is a lovely museum featuring sculptures, paintings, and drawings displayed over several floors. The museum was originally established by Napoleon Bonaparte, and can best be described as a labyrinth of rooms stuffed with art.
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It is understandable that Monet would choose this church over the many others in Rouen. Three different styled spires jut up into the sky. Angles, arches, and alleys galore...
With so much detail, it's a wonder that he was able to paint this storied church once, let alone thirty times!
Cheers!
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