Impression, Sunrise depicts the port of Le Havre at sunrise, the two small rowboats in the foreground and the red Sun being the focal elements. In the middle ground, more fishing boats are included, while in the background on the left side of the painting are clipper ships with tall masts. Behind them are other misty shapes that are not trees but smoke stacks of packboats and steamships, while on the right in the distance are other masts and chimneys silhouetted against the sky. In order to show these features of industry, Monet eliminated existing houses on the left side of the jetty, leaving the background unobscured.
The painting is credited with inspiring the name of the Impressionist movement. It uses relaxing and bouncing brush strokes, bright and rich colors, to depict a foggy morning of a port city. In a dim hue, the vivid rising sun sprinkles a ray of sunlight onto the sea surface. Small boats nearby and houses far away are looming under Monet's bold strokes. Monet stored the momentary impression of the sunrise scene onto the canvas, making the still picture flash rays of light.
Rouen Cathedral series
Houses of Parliament series
Water Lilies series
Haystacks series