Who painted Sunset on the Coast at Villerville?

Sunset on the Coast at Villerville was painted by Charles François Daubigny in 1865.

Where can I see Sunset on the Coast at Villerville?

Sunset on the Coast at Villerville is held by Walters Art Museum.

What movement is Sunset on the Coast at Villerville?

Sunset on the Coast at Villerville is associated with Barbizon school.

Artwork

Sunset on the Coast at Villerville

Charles François Daubigny , 1865

Sunset on the Coast at Villerville is an oil painting by the Barbizon school artist Charles François Daubigny. It dates from 1865 and is held in the collection of the Walters Art Museum. Created in 1865, this oil painting captures the fleeting light of a sunset over a rugged shoreline.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1865, this oil painting captures the fleeting light of a sunset over a rugged shoreline. The composition balances a luminous sky of warm yellow‑orange tones with darker foreground rocks and sparse vegetation, while a calm pool of water mirrors the evening glow. The work reflects the artist’s interest in natural light and atmospheric conditions.

Subject & Meaning

The scene depicts a coastal landscape at dusk, emphasizing the transition between day and night. The contrast between the bright, color‑saturated heavens and the muted, shadowed land suggests a contemplation of nature’s cycles, inviting viewers to consider the quiet, transient moments that occur along the seashore.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil, the painting features visible brushwork that adds surface texture and a sense of immediacy. The artist employs a restrained palette, allowing the sky to dominate with its vivid hue while the surrounding elements remain subdued. Subtle modeling of light and shade hints at chiaroscuro principles, enhancing depth without overt detail.

History & Provenance

The work belongs to the collection of the Walters Art Museum. Its creator, a French landscape painter linked to the Barbizon school, was known for pioneering approaches that anticipated later Impressionist concerns with light and atmosphere. The painting’s acquisition reflects the museum’s focus on 19th‑century European art.

Artist & collection

Artist

Charles François Daubigny

Charles-François Daubigny ( DOH-bin-yee, US: DOH-been-YEE, doh-BEEN-yee, French: ; 15 February 1817 – 19 February 1878) was a French painter, one of the members of the Barbizon school, and is considered an important precursor of…