A Corner of the Apartment 

Claude Monet painted this intriguing corner of an apartment with oil on canvas. Immediately, the symmetry is striking. The framing of the young boy with potted plants is a classical compositional technique, drawing our eye to him. But these are no ordinary plants. The use of evergreen trees, commonly seen during the winter solstice, has been passed down through history, and is a symbol representing the cyclical progression of life. We also see this in religious imagery, such as representations of the Madonna and child, where nature is abundant and meant to be symbolic of fertility, hope, and life. Monet’s use of this once sacred symbol in a domestic, everyday setting signals a shift. These symbols of life and hope have been stripped of their higher power, and are now relegated to a simple parlor. Yet, the psychological impact remains; the image invites viewers to engage on a deep, subconscious level. These symbols resurface and evolve, taking on new meanings and reflecting cultural shifts in new contexts.