Bouquet of Gadiolas, Lilies and Dasies 1878

Claude Monet made this still life of cut flowers in 1876 with oil on canvas. It represents an arrangement of flowers, but it may also represent the rise of the middle class in France, the changing status of the art market, and a shift in the academy of art's institutional power. In late 19th century France, the art market began to move away from the academy, which had a tight grip on the rules of artmaking, dictating what was considered good art and what was not. Genres like still life and landscape were considered "lower" than history painting. Still life painting in particular was associated with women artists. As the academy lost power, more artists experimented with these genres and subjects, often in new ways, and gained recognition for it. Monet's gorgeous bouquet reflects that market shift and the evolving understanding of the role of the artist in society. To learn more, investigate exhibition records from the period, study the writings of critics, and research the evolving roles of women in the arts.