Snow Effect at Argenteuil (Effet de neige; Argenteuil), 1875. Claude Monet. Oil on canvas. Gift of Henry W. and Marion H. Bloch.
A major snowstorm in the winter of 1874–1875 inspired several Impressionist artists to paint its effects in Paris and surrounding suburbs. Claude Monet was particularly drawn to capturing the record snowfall, producing 16 paintings from both inside and around his home in Argenteuil. Here, Monet depicted the aftermath of the storm. The sensation of sunlight beginning to warm the earth and melt the snow is masterfully conveyed through his close attention to light, color, and atmosphere.
