Monet and his painting Water Lilies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Monet and his painting Water Lilies - Essay Example This essay tells us about the painting, â€Å"Water Lilies,† by Claude Monet, a great masterpiece, which carries several elements of expression to the spectator. More important, this particular painting uses different techniques and ideologies to make a statement within the society and the culture which Claude Monet was in. The different concepts which Monet used in this particular painting were a part of a series which was able to show a true reflection and impression of nature as well as the shifts which were occurring during Monet’s time. However, it is the aesthetics that Monet uses in this piece that allows it to become a masterpiece and which has allowed it to stand out from a variety of paintings for a longer time frame. The painting of â€Å"Water Lilies† is one which shows Claude Monet’s personal philosophies and which reflects the time frame. This particular painting was a part of a series of water lilies which were painted from 1906 to 1926. The others are placed in various museums throughout the world. The brush strokes that are used with this specific painting are thicker in texture and include wider and long strokes that create the reflection of the leaves, water and the look of the lilies. This is combined with the shading which is created through the use of the oil paints, specifically which can be seen in the layers of the piece. The shading of the painting is not from light and dark, but instead comes from a darker and lighter mixture with each of the colors used. Content The content that is used by Monet is of the water lilies that are by a specific water body. The piece works as an Impressionist piece, which was used commonly by Monet as one which was defined by a glance or look at a specific scene at a given time. The impression which was left with the main look was what was painted, as opposed to manipulating or changing the textures that were with the piece of work. The impression is important to note because i t defines elements that are not a part of the main expressions which an artist is trying to convey. Instead, the expression and message is sent through the natural scenery and the moment which is caught in the painting. It is this natural setting that is able to capture specific characteristics and relay a given message to the audience (Werner, 3). The Impressionism in this piece comes from looking at the water lilies and seeing the reflection and movement of the water. When looking at this piece, it can be seen that the impression was left with the water lilies, which stayed still in the water and which are seen by the layers of paint and color. The brush strokes of the water lilies are smaller and move upward, which creates a sense of stillness with the subject. The reflection of the leaves are seen with several layers of shading and with long brush strokes, which makes the eye move from one end of the canvas to the other. The portrayal of the water moves in the same way, which ma kes the water look like it is swaying or moving forward. Even though the water lilies are only on the right hand corner and left hand bottom corner, the changing brush strokes cause the eye to see the lilies as constant and not moving, despite the changing reflections and movement of the water. The content then leaves an impression on the natural elements and the characteristics, which show the lilies as a constant in the continuous changes of the water. Iconography The icons which are presented from the water lilies become important with this picture as well as the other subjects of water lilies which