Water Lilies 1907

Claude Monet made this painting of water lilies with oil on canvas. As France modernized, institutions like the École des Beaux-Arts promoted traditional art, while independent artists sought new ways to express themselves. Monet, resisting academic conventions, captured fleeting moments and sensory experiences through vibrant colors and loose brushstrokes. Painted in France, it reflects the nation’s fascination with nature. Monet's garden in Giverny became his muse, a constructed landscape reflecting both control and surrender to the natural world. His focus on light and atmosphere challenged the prevailing artistic norms, emphasizing personal perception over idealized representation. To truly understand Monet, we delve into the social and cultural milieu of 19th-century France, exploring exhibition catalogs, critical reviews, and personal correspondence. This allows us to recognize art's role in shaping and reflecting societal values.