The Magpie, Claude Monet from the old master collection

Art code: 567 847 Copy the art code

The Magpie, Claude Monet

The Magpie is an oil-on-canvas landscape painting by the French Impressionist Claude Monet, created during the winter of 1868–1869 near the commune of Étretat in Normandy. Monet's patron, Louis Joachim Gaudibert, helped arrange a house in Étretat for Monet's girlfriend Camille Doncieux and their newborn son, allowing Monet to paint in relative comfort, surrounded by his family.

The canvas of The Magpie depicts a solitary black magpie perched on a gate formed in a wattle fence, as the light of the sun shines upon freshly fallen snow creating blue shadows. The painting features one of the first examples of Monet's use of colored shadows, which would later become associated with the Impressionist movement. Monet and the Impressionists used colored shadows to represent the actual, changing conditions of light and shadow as seen in nature, challenging the academic convention of painting shadows black. This subjective theory of color perception was introduced to the art world through the works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Michel Eugène Chevreul earlier in the century.

At the time, Monet's innovative use of light and color led to its rejection by the Paris Salon of 1869. Today, art historians classify The Magpie as one of Monet's best snowscape paintings. The painting was privately held until the Musée d'Orsay acquired it in 1984; it is considered one of the most popular paintings in their permanent collection.

Old Master collections

Discover more Old Masters in the following collections:

This artwork doesn't have reviews yet.
3,696 customer rate us with a 4.7 / 5

Ans van der Heij
Netherlands
5 / 5
Verified review from Kiyoh Ordered in November 2019
Createuniquemakeithome
Netherlands
5 / 5
Verified review from Kiyoh Ordered in June 2019
Anja V.
Germany
5 / 5
Verified review from Trusted Shops Ordered in February 2020
Gregor W.
Germany
5 / 5
Verified review from Trusted Shops Ordered in December 2021
wolfgang m.
Germany
5 / 5
Verified review from Trusted Shops Ordered in December 2021
Gerdie
Netherlands
5 / 5
Verified review from Kiyoh Ordered in December 2018
Petra T.
Germany
5 / 5
Verified review from Trusted Shops Ordered in August 2022
Dennis W.
Germany
5 / 5
Verified review from Trusted Shops Ordered in January 2020
Familie Lensink
Netherlands
5 / 5
Verified review from Kiyoh Ordered in June 2020
Hilde
Netherlands
5 / 5
Verified review from Kiyoh Ordered in November 2021
Christine U.
Germany
5 / 5
Verified review from Trusted Shops Ordered in October 2023
Vera J.
Germany
5 / 5
Verified review from Trusted Shops Ordered in September 2019

Pros and cons

  • Interchangeable art: buying a separate print and change your lookß
  • Optional acoustic function
  • Modern and affordable alternative to canvas
  • Simple construction kit, you have to put it together yourself. View the assembly instructions.

A modern alternative to canvas

With its modern and thin frame, available in the colors black, white, gold and silver, you mount an amazing looking artwork on your wall. And the size is not a limitations as you order it in 15 x 3 metres.

Time for a new look? Order a replacement print for your frame and you easily create a new look! Sustainable and affordable!

Are acoustics an issue? Choose for the optional sound absorbing panels and improve the acoustics.

Buy The Magpie, Claude Monet as a reproduction on canvas, ArtFrame, poster and wallpaper, printed on demand in high quality.

Get a 10% discount
Valid until 3 days and 9 hours !

Choose the material
About…
Choose options
Custom size…
ArtFrame comes as a simple construction kit. View self-assembly instructions.
A changeable Art Print is stretched into your existing ArtFrame
115,- 103,-
  • Incl. VAT, view shipping rates.
  • Custom made, view delivery times
10% discount settled!