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Artist: Claude Monet
Title: The Water Lily Pond
Year: 1904
Medium: oil on canvas
Dimensions: 34.5 in. x 36 in.
1. The reason why this work matches impressionism
The Water Lily Pond painted by Monet had four features which matched the style of Impressionism.
Firstly, the brushstrokes were visible, small and thin in this painting. So the objects like lily pad and shore were not recognizable. Therefore it showed the Impressionism’s style which was using visible brushstrokes.
Secondly, this painting depicted the natural landscape which was an outdoor scene. It also showed the direct observation of nature. Since this was one of the common subject matter of Impressionism, this painting matched Impressionism.
Thirdly, this painting captured the momentary scene. It showed the influence of photography on Impressionism. So this painting matched the style of Impressionism.
Fourthly, the unusual point of view of this painting was matched to Impressionism. It showed the influence of Japanese wood print on Impressionism. Therefore it showed the style of Impressionism.
In conclusion, Water Lily Pond was a perfect example of impressionism.
2. Description
The Water Lily Pond painted by Monet was depicting the reflection of the flowers on the water. There are three special features including high horizon, sense of depth and color in this painting.
Firstly, the horizon of this painting is high since it mostly depicted the water surface. Therefore the focus became the reflection of the trees and flowers on the water. This reflection showed the light effect on the water too. Moreover the sky was cut off by the edge of this painting. This showed the influence of the photography. Therefore the high horizon made this painting special.
Secondly, there was no obvious perspective in this painting. So it showed the influence of Japanese wood print. However, Monet depicted the flowers bigger to show they were closer to the viewers. Therefore it showed the sense of depth.
Thirdly, Monet only used yellow, red, pink, white, blue and green in this painting. So the chromatic unity was created. Moreover, black was not used to show the darkness and shadow in this painting because of dulling effect. So the dark part was a combination of colors like green and red. Moreover, the water seemed motionless because of the vertical arrangement of broken color.
In conclusion, the high horizon, special sense of depth and the use of color were the key features in the Water Lily Pond.
3. Key quote
‘By 1903 Monet painted only the surface of his beloved pond without any regard to the conventional use of space. Monet essentially became obsessed with the movement of water caused by wind along with the reflection of clouds intermingled with the sight of the plants growing under the surface of the water, which became the emphasis of his huge canvases depicting nothing but water.’
(Jennifer Dienes, "The Brush That Sparked a Revolution: Monet's.", Marquette University - Academic.mu.edu. , http://academic.mu.edu/meissnerd/monet.html (accessed 20 Feb. 2011) )
4. My opinion
I love this painting because of the color tone and the subject matter.
Firstly, this painting was very colorful. I love there were no any use of black to show the shadow. It made me feel relaxed and comfortable. It also gave me a sense of summer because of the dominant use of yellow and green.
Secondly, I love the subject matter which was about nature. Before Impressionism, there were many artists focused on the religion, politics and society. However, I thought nature was the beautiful thing all over the world. So it was a wonderful subject matter to depict.
All in all, I love this painting very much.
5. Reference list
Jennifer Dienes, "The Brush That Sparked a Revolution: Monet's.", Marquette University - Academic.mu.edu. , http://academic.mu.edu/meissnerd/monet.html (accessed 20 Feb. 2011)
Denver Art Museum, “Claude Monet’s The Water Lily Pond”, Denver Art Museum, http://creativity.denverartmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Monet_Waterlily_Sec.pdf (accessed 8 Feb. 2011).
Laurie Adams, Art Across Time (Boston: McGraw Hill College, 2002), P.824-826
6. My Questions
In this modern world, do you think taking photos with some modification (Changing color tone, blurring the background) by Photoshop can make the effect like Monet’s paintings?
Hi Jenny,
ReplyDeleteYou description is well-organized, try to elaborate more.Also, you can use reference more specifically by explaining, commenting, relating it to a specific point in your analysis on formal element. The quote you put down here may relate to the effect of light depicted in the painting. Try to explain more on this is you use that quote.
Queenie