The Valley of Sasso, Bordighera 1884

Claude Monet created this landscape painting, The Valley of Sasso, Bordighera, with oil on canvas. It's a scene of the Italian Riviera, a region that attracted wealthy Europeans as a resort in the late 19th century. Monet was one of those tourists, but he was also a working artist who needed to paint for his income. In paintings like this one, the art market's demand for picturesque landscapes is plain to see. The Impressionists broke with the tradition of history painting to offer scenes of modern life. But they were also dependent on dealers and collectors to buy their art. We can see this painting as a reflection of those forces, as Monet combined his artistic vision with the commercial needs of the art world. To understand these dynamics better, we can turn to sources from the period, such as letters, exhibition reviews, and sales records. These help us appreciate how art is shaped by its social context.