Image Essay #10

This is a piece by famous Impressionist painter Claude Monet entitled "Water Lillies." Monet was always very interested in the effects of lighting and reflections, and this piece shows a definite mastery of the subject matter. The piece is very intense and vibrant. There are analogous colors in the blue and purples of the water, which serves to make the lilies stand out. I personally think it is a very interesting selection of colors, but that was the trademark of the Impressionist style. It's just amazing because I know I would never be capable of painting anything like this.

Monet was very influential in the Impressionist movement as well as art in general. The term Impressionism was even derived from one of Monet's more famous paintings. Unlike most artists, he was fairly famous during his lifetime. Monet also had a lot of “series” paintings. He would paint the same object in different lighting conditions. It is very interesting to see his series of haystacks painted at different times of day. It really showcases the mastery Monet had over lighting. According to some historians, Monet suffered from cataracts in both his eyes, which he had surgery to correct. After the surgery it has been suggested that he was able to see ultraviolet wavelengths of light.