Morning on the Seine 02 1896

Claude Monet painted “Morning on the Seine” with oil on canvas to capture the ethereal quality of the French countryside. Painted during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this work reflects a period of rapid industrialization and social change in France. Monet and his impressionist contemporaries sought to capture fleeting moments and subjective experiences, a stark contrast to the academic painting that dominated the French art establishment. The Impressionists, with their independent exhibitions and focus on modern life, challenged the power of the French Academy, a powerful institution that dictated artistic taste for centuries. Monet's choice to paint en plein air, directly from nature, further broke with tradition. The study of 19th-century art criticism, exhibition records, and artists' letters can shed light on the complex relationship between art, society, and institutions during this transformative period. Art becomes not just a reflection of society but an active participant in shaping its values and beliefs.