Water Lilies 1919

Claude Monet made this painting, Water Lilies, using oil on canvas in France, most likely in the early 20th century. The image is an example of the artist's late style. In its subject matter and technique, the painting represents a break with the artistic conventions of the French Academy. Rather than focusing on historical, religious, or allegorical subjects, Monet chose to represent the natural world of his own garden. He moved away from the precise detail and careful finish of academic painting, Monet instead captured the play of light and color in the scene. We can understand this shift in artistic practice in relation to broader social changes. As the power of the aristocracy declined, so did the Academy’s grip on artistic production. Artists like Monet sought new ways of representing the world around them. Art historians study exhibition reviews and the correspondence of artists, critics, and collectors to better understand such connections between art and society.