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Student Artwork Guide

Damiette, Sunset

ferdinand guillaumin, 1888

Name Class Date
ferdinand guillaumin, Damiette, Sunset (1888). Public domain.

The facts

Artist
ferdinand guillaumin topimpressionists.com/en/artists/ferdinand-guillaumin/
Artist’s dates
1841 – 1927
Painted
1888
Medium
Oil On Canvas
Original size
73 x 100 cm
Movement
Post-Impressionism Artists who kept the bright colour of Impressionism but pushed shape and feeling further than the eye really sees.
Period
19th Century
Artistic style
Post-Impressionist, Dreamy landscapes
Influences
Impressionism, Post-Impressionism
Notable elements
Vivid colors, thick paint application
Subject or theme
Village scene, rural life, sunset

Copyright This work is in the public domain. ferdinand guillaumin died in 1927; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 1997.

Source: TopImpressionists.com — accessed Aug. 29, 2026

Damiette, Sunset — ferdinand guillaumin Part 1 · The artwork

In context

Damiette, Sunset — ferdinand guillaumin

How big is it?

The original measures 73 × 100 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.

When was this painted?

  1. 1840
  2. 1850
  3. 1860
  4. 1870
  5. 1880
  6. 1890
  7. 1900
  8. 1910
  9. 1920

Shaded: the lifetime of ferdinand guillaumin (1841–1927) ▲ this work, 1888

Compare with

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: topimpressionists.com/en/art/similar/ferdinand-guillaumin-damiette-sunset-8DP2CL-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Espresso #3a3524

    Catalogued palette

    • #3A3524
    • #725742
    • #C4C9AC
    • #BBAB78
    Palette
    Earthy The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Espresso
    Intensity
    Balanced How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Bold How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Balanced Harmony How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Balanced How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Balanced Soft How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Source: TopImpressionists.com — accessed Aug. 29, 2026

    Damiette, Sunset — ferdinand guillaumin Part 2 · In context

    About this artwork

    Damiette, Sunset — ferdinand guillaumin

    A Golden Hour in Damiette: A Symphony of Light and Color

    In the quietude of 1888, Jean Baptiste Armand Guillaumin captured a moment of profound serenity in his masterpiece, Damiette, Sunset. This evocative oil on canvas invites the viewer into a pastoral dreamscape where the boundaries between the natural world and human habitation dissolve under the warm, amber glow of a departing sun. The scene unfolds with a charming village nestled amidst lush greenery, where houses crowned with vibrant red roofs stand as silent witnesses to the day's end. As the light softens, it illuminates a landscape teeming with the gentle rhythms of rural life; figures wander through the village and dogs roam freely, adding a layer of lived-in warmth to an otherwise ethereal atmosphere. It is more than a mere depiction of a French hamlet; it is an invitation to pause and breathe in the tranquility of a world untouched by the frantic pace of modernity.

    Guillaumin’s technique serves as the heartbeat of this composition, showcasing the expressive power of the Post-Impressionist movement. Moving beyond the purely naturalistic light studies of his Impressionist contemporaries, Guillaumin employs a thick, tactile application of paint that lends a sculptural quality to the trees and architecture. His palette is nothing short of celebratory, utilizing vivid, saturated hues to evoke the emotional resonance of a sunset. The interplay of deep shadows and brilliant highlights creates a rhythmic movement across the canvas, guiding the eye from the structured geometry of the village rooftops to the soft, organic silhouettes of the surrounding forest. This mastery of color and form allows the painting to transcend simple representation, transforming a landscape into a sensory experience of warmth and light.

    For the discerning collector or interior designer, Damiette, Sunset offers an unparalleled opportunity to introduce a sense of timeless elegance and emotional depth into a living space. The painting’s ability to evoke nostalgia and peace makes it a versatile centerpiece, capable of anchoring a room with its rich textures and historical weight. Whether placed in a sun-drenched gallery or a sophisticated study, a high-quality reproduction of this work brings with it the legacy of the French masters. It serves as a window into a bygone era, offering a constant source of inspiration through its harmonious balance of geometric structure and natural beauty. To possess such a piece is to hold a fragment of the late 19th century's most transformative artistic spirit, ensuring that the quiet magic of Guillaumin’s sunset continues to glow within the modern home.

    Source: TopImpressionists.com — accessed Aug. 29, 2026

    Damiette, Sunset — ferdinand guillaumin Part 3 · About this artwork

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    ferdinand guillaumin

    Born in Paris, France

    early life and career

    ferdinand guillaumin, a french impressionist painter and lithographer, was born on february 16, 1841. his artistic journey began in the mid-19th century, a time when impressionism was gaining momentum in france.

    contribution to impressionism

    guillaumin's work significantly contributed to the development of impressionism, a movement that sought to capture the fleeting impressions of light and color in the natural world. as an active member of this group, he participated in several exhibitions, showcasing his unique style.

    his paintings often featured dreamy, soft landscapes, which resonated with the spirit of impressionism.

    guillaumin's use of vibrant colors and loose brushstrokes added to the movement's characteristic spontaneity.

    notable works and associations

    mount holyoke college art museum, which houses an impressive collection of artworks, including those by guillaumin, is a notable institution that has contributed to the preservation of his legacy.

    claude monet, another prominent impressionist painter, was a close associate of guillaumin, and both artists often exhibited their works together.

    guillaumin's style also shows influences from symbolism, a movement that emphasized the world of dreams and mysticism, as seen in his use of bold colors and emotive subjects.

    legacy and remembrance

    ferdinand guillaumin passed away on june 26, 1927, but his contributions to impressionism remain invaluable. his work can be found in various museums and collections, including those featured on mount holyoke college art museum (united states) and other notable institutions. explore more of guillaumin's works and the impressionist movement on AllPaintingsStore: ferdinand guillaumin | 3 artworks impressionism art movement

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for Damiette, Sunset

    topimpressionists.com/en/art/download/ferdinand-guillaumin-damiette-sunset-8DP2CL-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    guillaumin, ferdinand. Damiette, Sunset. 1888, https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/ferdinand-guillaumin-damiette-sunset-8DP2CL-en/
    APA
    guillaumin, ferdinand (1888). Damiette, Sunset [Painting]. https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/ferdinand-guillaumin-damiette-sunset-8DP2CL-en/
    Chicago
    ferdinand guillaumin. Damiette, Sunset. 1888. https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/ferdinand-guillaumin-damiette-sunset-8DP2CL-en/
    Harvard
    guillaumin, ferdinand (1888) Damiette, Sunset. Available at: https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/ferdinand-guillaumin-damiette-sunset-8DP2CL-en/

    Source: TopImpressionists.com — accessed Aug. 29, 2026

    Damiette, Sunset — ferdinand guillaumin Part 4 · Artist and museum

    Look closely

    Damiette, Sunset — ferdinand guillaumin

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. Our catalogue files this work under: village scene, sunset, landscape. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
    4. Look back at Sunset at Ivry (1873), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    5. Post-Impressionism: Artists who kept the bright colour of Impressionism but pushed shape and feeling further than the eye really sees. Where can you see that in this work?

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.