The present work depicts one of the three rock arches along the coast around Étretat, the Porte d’Aval, as the sun descends beneath the horizon. The contrast between the shimmering water in the shallows and the golden highlights across the sky imbues the canvas with stunning luminosity. Unlike many of Monet’s other canvases of this area, which depict sailboats, leisure seekers, or even commercial activity, Étretat, coucher de soleil is devoid of any sign of human presence. The focus in this work is squarely on the raw beauty of nature: the majesty of the cliffs, the serenity of the sea, the transcendent glow of a setting sun.