Who painted Tête du Chien, Monaco, Winter Sunset?

Tête du Chien, Monaco, Winter Sunset was painted by Richard Whateley West in 1886.

Where can I see Tête du Chien, Monaco, Winter Sunset?

Tête du Chien, Monaco, Winter Sunset is held by National Gallery of Ireland.

What movement is Tête du Chien, Monaco, Winter Sunset?

Tête du Chien, Monaco, Winter Sunset is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Tête du Chien, Monaco, Winter Sunset

Richard Whateley West , 1886

Tête du Chien, Monaco, Winter Sunset is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Richard Whateley West. It dates from 1886 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland.

About this work

Overview

Richard Whateley West’s oil painting Tête du Chien, Monaco, Winter Sunset dates to around 1886 and is part of the National Gallery of Ireland’s collection. The work depicts a coastal landscape at dusk, rendered in a restrained palette of earth tones, muted blues and soft yellows.

Subject & Meaning

The canvas presents a rocky shoreline that slopes toward a tranquil sea, with a few scattered trees clinging to a hillside. A cloudy sky is illuminated by the low sun, its warm glow suggesting the transition from day to night and emphasizing the quiet, contemplative atmosphere of the scene.

Technique & Style

West employs chiaroscuro to model the forms, using contrasts of light and shadow to convey depth across the rocks, water and sky. The brushwork is relatively smooth, allowing the muted colours—browns, greys and blues—to blend seamlessly, while the subtle shift from deep blue overhead to pale yellow at the horizon creates a sense of atmospheric perspective.

History & Provenance

Created in the mid‑1880s, the painting entered the National Gallery of Ireland’s holdings at an unspecified date, where it remains on display. Its provenance prior to acquisition is not extensively documented, but the work reflects West’s interest in coastal subjects during his later career.