Paris Art of Choice - Monet’s Water Lilies

 My piece of art choice for Paris was Monet’s Water Lilies. When I looked at this piece of art, I saw a few things. I saw a lot of blue and deeper colors. I saw the reflection of the sky and trees in the water. I saw the attention to detail on the water Lilies. I saw loose brushstrokes which depicted the play of light and shadow on water. This created blurrier boundaries between form and abstraction. These works form the movement's emphasis on capturing brief moments and atmospheric effects in nature. 


I think Monet’s water lilies carry a lot of historical and cultural significance. They represent a revolutionary change from traditional artistic conventions. They embrace loose painting, capturing the essence of light and atmosphere. Monet challenged the norms, which paved the way for a lot of modern art movements. In addition, his focus on nature as a subject of beauty and contemplation focused on a broader shift in societal attitudes. These paintings also serve as symbols of tranquility, and can resonate with audiences all around. All different backgrounds, generations and types of people can see these paintings in different ways, which I think is really interesting. 


In my opinion, Monet’s water lilies paintings contribute to this city’s status as a cultural capital in a few ways. First, they embody the city’s artistic vibrancy and innovation. As icons of Impressionism, they attract a ton of visitors every year to Parisian museums, which reinforces the city’s allure as a global art designation. In addition, they serve as symbols of French artistic excellence, which shapes the city’s cultural identity and influences generations of artists. By showing the true beauty of Giverny’s landscapes, they also celebrate the French countryside, further showing Paris’s cultural aspects and cementing its reputation as a place of artistic inspiration and creativity. 


Yay! 

Sophie



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