The Esterel Mountains 1888

Claude Monet painted ‘The Esterel Mountains’ using oil on canvas, likely in the late 19th century. Monet was a founder of French Impressionism, and this painting embodies the movement's interest in capturing fleeting moments and sensory impressions. Monet made several trips to the Mediterranean coast of France, and was particularly captivated by the light and color of the landscape. Here, the Mediterranean landscape is rendered with loose brushstrokes and vibrant color, with the Esterel mountains in the background providing a hazy backdrop to the tranquil sea. The twisted pine in the foreground, and its reflection on the water, show the strong influence of Japanese art on Impressionist painters. The image creates meaning by inviting the viewer to see and feel what Monet felt, and to see the landscape through his eyes. The job of the art historian is to reconstruct the context that made this vision possible, using letters, memoirs, travel guides, and histories of the art market. In so doing, we can begin to understand why Monet, in his time, was so committed to changing the way we see the world.