Water Lilies 1908

Monet daubed this dreamy painting with oil on canvas, making layers of lilies emerge from the water in soft brushstrokes of green, blue, pink and yellow. I wonder if Monet felt like he was swimming in the pond as he made this? I imagine he was wrestling with the light, trying to capture this shimmering, fleeting sensation. The paint isn't thick or gloopy, it's loose and watery. Look at the way the water lilies seem to float on the surface, each one a little blob of color. He probably stood back, squinted, and then went back in with another dab, trying to get it just right. Monet was part of a generation of painters figuring out how to make a painting that's not just a picture, but an experience. Think of it as a painting that embraces imperfection, inviting us to dive into its depths and find our own reflections.