The Old Tree, Gorge of the Petite Creuse 1889

Claude Monet captured The Old Tree, Gorge of the Petite Creuse with oil on canvas. Monet's focus on landscapes aligns with a broader cultural shift in 19th-century France, away from academic painting and towards scenes of everyday life and nature. The gorge's rugged terrain and the old tree itself can be seen as symbols of resistance against the encroaching industrialization of France. The choice of the landscape as a subject reflects a growing interest in the local and the regional, as opposed to the centralized power structures of Paris. The art market played a crucial role in shaping Monet's career. Dealers like Paul Durand-Ruel supported and promoted the Impressionists, creating a market for their unconventional style. To understand Monet fully, we turn to letters, reviews, and exhibition catalogues. These resources reveal the dynamic interplay between artists, institutions, and the viewing public, shaping the meaning and value of artworks like this one.