Argenteuil 1872

Claude Monet painted 'Argenteuil' with oil on canvas, a hallmark of fine art that had been established for centuries. Here, though, the material is used in a way that is anything but traditional. Look closely and you'll see that Monet applied the paint in short, loose strokes, capturing the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere, a technique called 'Impressionism'. The material handling here is all about immediacy. Oil paint allowed for a fluidity and blend-ability crucial for his approach. But it's not just about appearances. Monet's focus on capturing the ephemeral reflects the changing nature of modern life during the Industrial Revolution. As urban landscapes and modes of transportation transformed, so too did artistic practices. Monet turned away from historical or mythological scenes and focused on everyday life, the world around him. The boats, the water, the sky – all rendered with a new sense of spontaneity. With his emphasis on capturing these effects, he elevated the fleeting moment to the level of high art.