Villas at Bordighera 1884

Claude Monet painted Villas at Bordighera, capturing the lush Italian Riviera with his signature impressionistic style. Born in 1840, Monet lived through a period of significant social and political change in France. The artwork, with its vibrant colors and depiction of exotic flora, reflects the orientalist fascination of 19th-century Europe. The image is a complex negotiation of the landscape where the villas could be seen as symbols of wealth and privilege set against the backdrop of the natural world. “I’ve begun to paint with a passion,” Monet wrote, “it is so beautiful here!” Monet’s gaze, as a male artist, and his social standing allows us to consider issues of power, gender, and representation. His interpretation shapes our understanding and prompts us to think about whose perspectives are privileged. The artwork reminds us to consider the historical context while embracing our own emotional and personal experiences of beauty.