Monet's Water Lilies: Great Art Explained

Summary

Claude Monet’s late water lily paintings, created as a personal response to the devastation of World War I, are often misunderstood as mere aesthetic pieces. However, they were meant as a memorial to those lost during the war. Despite facing personal tragedies, failing eyesight, and the suggestion of retirement, Monet was coaxed back into painting by his close friend Georges Clemenceau. The 'Grand Water Lilies' series became a radical departure from his earlier works, embodying a sense of mourning, disorientation, and abstraction. While initially dismissed by critics, they later became an inspiration for Abstract Expressionism, solidifying Monet’s legacy as a visionary artist.

Takeaways

• 😀 Monet's last works, the enormous water lily canvases, are often misunderstood as simple garden depictions, but they were actually a radical artistic response to the horrors of World War I.
• 😀 Despite being a successful and wealthy artist by 1914, Monet faced immense personal losses, including the deaths of his wife, son, and the onset of cataracts, which affected his vision and painting style.
• 😀 Monet's 'Water Lilies' are among the most popular artworks in the world, but they were also intended as a war memorial to those lost in the First World War.
• 😀 The water lily panels are displayed at the Orangerie in Paris, covering a total area of 200 square meters, making them one of the most ambitious and immersive art installations of the early 20th century.
• 😀 Monet's decision to return to painting after a period of retirement was influenced by a visit from Georges Clemenceau, who encouraged him to continue painting for France's national pride during the war.
• 😀 Monet’s 'Water Lilies' series is considered the first art installation, with the panels designed to be experienced in a specific architectural space with filtered daylight that changes the viewing experience.
• 😀 Monet initially intended to retire but returned to painting after Clemenceau's persuasion, creating a series of monumental paintings that were vastly different from his earlier works.
• 😀 The water lily paintings were conceived in a period of immense personal and national crisis, including the horrors of war and Monet's own struggles with his health.
• 😀 Monet’s cataracts, which altered his perception of color, led to a shift in his painting style, making his late works more abstract with dominant green-blue tones.
• 😀 Initially criticized by art critics for being 'too old' or 'too simple', Monet's final works were later rediscovered by Abstract Expressionists in the 1950s and seen as an inspiration for modern abstraction.

Q & A

Why are Monet's 'Water Lilies' often criticized despite their popularity?

Monet's 'Water Lilies' are sometimes criticized for being overexposed, too easy, or even labeled as 'chocolate box art.' Critics argue that the works are too obvious, but they miss the radical innovation and deep emotional significance embedded in these paintings.

What was the original intention behind Monet's 'Water Lilies' paintings?

Monet's 'Water Lilies' were conceived as a war memorial, created in direct response to the devastation of the First World War and the tragic losses suffered by many, including Monet's own friends and family.

How did Monet's personal life influence his later works?

Monet was deeply affected by personal tragedies, including the deaths of his wife and son, as well as the toll of aging and deteriorating eyesight. These challenges led him to create his final series of paintings, where he poured his emotions and reflections on the war and loss.

What is unique about the installation of Monet's 'Water Lilies' at the Orangerie in Paris?

Monet's 'Water Lilies' were specifically designed for the Orangerie, where the paintings are displayed across curved walls in two egg-shaped rooms. The paintings were strategically positioned to respond to changing daylight, creating a dynamic, immersive experience for viewers.

What role did Georges Clemenceau play in Monet's decision to paint the 'Water Lilies'?

Georges Clemenceau, a close friend of Monet and a prominent political figure, persuaded Monet to return to painting after he had considered retiring. Clemenceau framed painting as Monet's 'patriotic duty,' urging him to continue as a symbol of French resilience during the war.

How did Monet overcome the challenges posed by his failing eyesight?

Monet’s cataracts made it difficult for him to perceive color and fine detail. He compensated by altering his color palette, favoring green-blue tones, and working on a larger scale. His abstract brushstrokes and thick application of paint helped to express his artistic vision despite his vision impairment.

Why did Monet struggle to part with the 'Water Lilies' after completing them?

Monet was deeply attached to his work, and he often reworked the paintings, finding it difficult to finalize them. He kept the paintings in his studio for a long time, reworking them until his death. Clemenceau had to negotiate with Monet to have the paintings moved to the Orangerie.

What was the public's initial reaction to Monet's 'Water Lilies' when they were first displayed?

When Monet's 'Water Lilies' were first displayed at the Orangerie in 1927, they were met with criticism. Critics dismissed them as the work of an 'old man' and found the loose brushstrokes and vibrant colors lacking in substance compared to other avant-garde movements like Cubism and Futurism.

How did the perception of Monet's 'Water Lilies' change in the 1950s?

In the 1950s, the 'Water Lilies' were rediscovered by Abstract Expressionists like Mark Rothko and Jackson Pollock. These artists were drawn to Monet's works for their emotional depth, scale, and use of color. The 'Water Lilies' became a foundation for the development of abstract art.

How did Monet’s final series of paintings differ in style from his earlier works?

Monet's final 'Water Lilies' series marked a departure from his earlier Impressionistic work. The paintings were less focused on blending colors and more on thick, gestural brushstrokes. The horizon was omitted, creating an enveloping, abstract space that challenges traditional spatial relationships in art.