Rouen Cathedral, West Façade, Sunlight

Working in oil on canvas, Claude Monet painted this view of Rouen Cathedral's west façade in 1894. The ancient Gothic stonework appears to dissolve in golden afternoon light, its architectural details suggested rather than defined. This is one of over 30 paintings Monet made of the cathedral between 1892 and 1894.

Working from a rented room across the square, Monet painted the same view repeatedly under different lighting conditions. The series demonstrates his conviction that color and light, not permanent form, constitute our visual experience. The thick impasto surface mimics the textured stone while capturing the shimmering effects of sunlight. The Rouen Cathedral series represents a peak of Monet's Impressionist exploration.