Banks of the Seine at Jenfosse - Clear Weather 1884

Claude Monet painted these 'Banks of the Seine at Jenfosse' with delicate brushstrokes that capture the transient qualities of light and color. Water, a pervasive symbol, has coursed through art history, often signifying purification, transformation, and the subconscious. Consider the ancient Greek concept of the River Styx, a boundary between worlds. Monet’s Seine similarly acts as a reflective surface, a mirror to the sky, blurring the boundary between reality and illusion. Notice how the trees and foliage are echoed in the river's reflection; this mirroring effect suggests a dialogue between the tangible and the intangible. This motif of reflection resonates deeply, harking back to Narcissus, who was consumed by his own reflection, a cautionary tale of self-obsession and the elusive nature of identity. The interplay between light and shadow, the fleeting moment captured on canvas, reminds us of the transience of life and the ever-changing flow of time. It is in this cyclical return of motifs that we find a deeper understanding of our shared human experience.