Vase of Peonies 1882

Claude Monet created "Vase of Peonies," using oil on canvas, as a study in color and light. It typifies the work of the Impressionists in late 19th-century France. But it also exists in a specific cultural and institutional setting. The rise of Impressionism coincides with the growth of the modern art market and the increasing importance of art dealers and critics in shaping taste and promoting new art. Monet and his fellow Impressionists sought recognition outside the official Salon system. The paintings were sold through private galleries to a new class of collectors who were eager to embrace modern styles. Monet's paintings of flowers and landscapes reflected the rise of leisure culture and the desire to escape the industrialized urban world. In this painting, we see the expression of the artist's individual vision rather than adherence to traditional artistic conventions. The history of art provides insight into these transformations and helps us understand the changing role of art in society.