The Cliffs 1893

Maxime Maufra, an artist who lived through a period of great social upheaval in France, rendered "The Cliffs" with watercolor and pencil. Maufra was deeply inspired by the Impressionists, but his art diverged by emphasizing the raw, untamed beauty of nature. Maufra’s Brittany roots are clear when looking at this piece, where the cliffs, rendered in dark, almost brooding colors, stand in stark contrast to the lively turquoise sea. The cliffs carry the weight of history, while the ocean suggests constant change. The artist's mark-making carries an emotional depth, a sense of awe and perhaps a recognition of the sublime power held by the natural world. Maufra, like many of his contemporaries, sought refuge in nature as a space of authenticity, untouched by the rapid industrialization and urbanization of the era. In viewing “The Cliffs” we can reflect on how natural landscapes, real and represented, can provide solace, and prompt reflection on our place within broader social and environmental contexts.