Millet grew up in the tiny hamlet of Gruchy on the coast of Normandy. He left as a young man to pursue his artistic training in Paris, but retained deep emotional connections to his hometown and to this vista in particular: he painted several versions of this composition over a number of years. Describing the impact of this view, Millet reflected: “going down toward the sea, suddenly one faces the great marine view and the boundless horizon. Near the last house, an old elm stands against the infinite void. How long has this poor old tree stood there beaten by the north wind?”

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