Gladiolus 1881

This painting, Gladiolus, was created by Claude Monet using oil paint on canvas. These are traditional fine art materials, but Monet uses them in a way that seems almost off-hand, more like sketching than traditional painting. The loose, fluid brushstrokes capture the fleeting impression of the gladiolus, conveying its ephemeral beauty. Monet worked wet-on-wet, blending the colours directly on the canvas to render the subtle gradations of light and shadow. The vase itself appears swiftly painted, but still carefully observed with a high level of detail. Notice how the artist has used the brown background to create depth and drama. Through the careful manipulation of the materials and its quick application, Monet imbued Gladiolus with a sense of immediacy and spontaneity. It is a reminder that art is not only about the subject matter, but also about the way it is made.