Claude Monet (1840-1926) arrived in Giverny at the age of forty-two in 1883 and lived there until his death in 1926. During this period, he cultivated two gardens: a floral garden and a water garden featuring a pond filled with water lilies, inspired by the serene beauty of traditional Japanese gardens. Monet consciously chose exotic flora for his gardens, such as towering bamboo, vibrant water lilies (which he discovered at the Exposition Universelle of 1889), and cascading wisteria. A charming Japanese-style bridge spanned over the narrow part of his pond, adding to the picturesque allure of his gardens.
In Giverny, Monet increasingly isolated himself from the outside world and became captivated by the endless enchantment of his garden. From 1883 to 1926, he painted the reflections on his water lily pond hundreds of times. While his first few attempts at capturing these scenes followed the principles of Impressionism, Monet gradually embraced a more expressive approach to his art. He rejected depth and no longer felt the need to depict recognizable subjects. Instead, his monumental garden paintings exuded a sense of timelessness, transcending the fleeting moments typically depicted in art. This phase at Giverny marked not only the most prolific period in Monet’s career, but also a significant artistic evolution. The pioneering Impressionist of the 19th century successfully reinvented himself in the 20th century.
www.ftn-books.com http://www.ftn-books.comhas several titles on his Giverny paintings now available.
