Water Lilies and Weeping Willow Branches 1919

Claude Monet made this painting of water lilies and weeping willow branches with oil on canvas. What strikes me is how Monet lets the process show. It's all about the brushstrokes, the dabs, and the way he builds up the layers of color. Looking closely, you can almost feel the texture of the canvas. The blue is so intense, but it's not just one blue. It’s a mix of shades, light and dark, that create this shimmering effect. Then, those dark, looping lines of the willow branches feel like calligraphy, each stroke full of energy. There's one area, near the top right, where the blue is almost white, like the sky is reflecting in the water. It feels like a burst of light, and it really opens up the whole composition. You know, seeing this makes me think of Joan Mitchell. Both artists, in their own way, capture the feeling of being in nature, of letting the world wash over you. It’s a reminder that art is never really finished; it’s always evolving, always in conversation with itself.