Hamerocallis 1917

Claude Monet made Hamerocallis with oil on canvas using short brushstrokes to capture the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere. It's like the whole scene is breathing. Look at how Monet layers the paint, thin in some areas and thicker in others, to create a sense of depth and texture. The way he builds up the foliage with these quick, confident marks is incredible. See how the dabs of paint create an almost vibrating effect, like the leaves are shimmering in the sunlight? It's all about process here. Monet’s not trying to copy reality but instead give us the feeling of being in the garden. There’s an informality here that you can see in the later work of someone like Joan Mitchell. Both artists remind us that painting isn’t about perfect representation but about capturing something more elusive.