Meadow at Giverny 1894

Claude Monet painted 'Meadow at Giverny', likely in the late 19th century, using oil on canvas. Monet and his contemporaries challenged the rigid structures of the French Salon system, which dictated what art was acceptable. Rejecting academic painting's emphasis on historical or mythological subjects, Monet turned to the everyday, painting landscapes and modern life. 'Meadow at Giverny' exemplifies Impressionism's focus on capturing fleeting moments and the subjective experience of light and color. Monet's move to Giverny allowed him to create a personal, cultivated landscape, blurring the lines between nature and artifice. The loose brushwork and emphasis on color create a sense of immediacy, inviting the viewer to share in Monet's sensory experience. To understand the painting more fully, one might consult exhibition reviews, artists' letters, and social histories of France during this period. Through such research, we can understand how artists like Monet challenged and transformed the art world of their time.