Who painted Près Houlgate (Calvados)?

Près Houlgate (Calvados) was painted by Maxime Lalanne in 1869.

Where can I see Près Houlgate (Calvados)?

Près Houlgate (Calvados) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Près Houlgate (Calvados)?

Près Houlgate (Calvados) is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Près Houlgate (Calvados)

Maxime Lalanne , 1869

Près Houlgate (Calvados) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Maxime Lalanne. It dates from 1869 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1869, this print by French artist François Antoine Maxime Lalanne depicts a coastal cliff near Houlgate in Calvados. Executed as an etching on laid Japan paper, the image balances a dark, craggy foreground with a luminous sky, inviting the viewer into a quiet, expansive seascape.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on a rugged limestone outcrop that dominates the lower register, while a light‑filled sky with delicate, drifting clouds occupies the upper field. A modest structure appears at left, providing a point of reference that emphasizes the vastness of the surrounding landscape and conveys a tranquil, contemplative mood.

Technique & Style

Lalanne employed traditional intaglio etching, incising lines into a copper plate before exposing it to acid. The resulting marks were transferred onto a sheet of laid Japan paper, a fine, slightly textured support that enhances the contrast between deep shadows and airy highlights. The work exemplifies the 19th‑century French interest in precise, atmospheric printmaking.

History & Provenance

The print emerged during a period when Lalanne focused primarily on print media, producing numerous etchings and charcoal studies. While specific ownership records are limited, the piece is catalogued among his 1860s output and has been exhibited in collections highlighting French landscape printmaking of the era.

Context

Houlgate, a coastal town in Normandy, attracted many artists seeking to capture its dramatic shoreline and shifting light. Lalanne’s depiction aligns with contemporary Romantic and Realist tendencies, emphasizing natural grandeur without overt narrative, and reflects a broader 19th‑century fascination with the French seaside.