Artwork
Beuzeval, Opening to La Dive (Calvados)
Beuzeval, Opening to La Dive (Calvados) is a print by the Impressionist artist Maxime Lalanne. It dates from 1868 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1868 by French artist Maxime Lalanne, *Beuzeval, Opening to La Dive (Calvados)* is a print held by the Cleveland Museum of Art. The image records a modest seaside settlement in Normandy, capturing a bustling harbor scene with vessels, pedestrians, and modest architecture under a dynamically rendered sky.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents a quotidian view of a coastal town, emphasizing ordinary activity rather than idealized landscape. Ships lie close to shore while locals traverse the waterfront, suggesting a functional port community. The inclusion of a place name at the bottom grounds the scene in a specific French locale, reinforcing its documentary intent.
Technique & Style
Lalanne employs swift, wavy line work to suggest movement in both sky and water, a hallmark of his etching practice. The contrast between delicate atmospheric strokes and the more solid rendering of buildings creates a balance between immediacy and structure, reflecting the realist interest in truthful observation.
History & Provenance
The print entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection, though details of its acquisition are not specified. As part of Lalanne’s broader output of etchings and charcoal drawings, it exemplifies his mid‑19th‑century focus on everyday subjects and contributes to the museum’s representation of French realism.
Artist & collection
Artist
François Antoine Maxime Lalanne (November 27, 1827 – July 29, 1886) was a French artist known for his etchings and charcoal drawings (fusain).
