The Arm of the Seine 1878

Claude Monet painted "The Arm of the Seine" with oil on canvas, using brushes to apply layers of color. Looking at the work's materiality, notice how the loose brushstrokes capture the fleeting quality of light and reflection on the water's surface. Oil paint, with its ability to blend and build texture, allows Monet to create a sense of depth and atmosphere. The thickness and layering of the paint also contribute to the overall impression of movement and change. Monet's technique, characterized by its rapid execution, was suited to capturing fleeting atmospheric effects; this was new at the time. This approach reflects the wider social changes of the 19th century, including the rise of industrialization, capitalism and consumerism, where the emphasis shifted from careful rendering to a sense of immediacy. Considering the material and process invites us to appreciate the context in which it was made, challenging traditional notions of art.