Water_Lilies

Water Lilies Claude Monet – 1908 This masterpiece stirs a childlike happiness within me that rises up from the depths of my soul like a geyser. I have always loved the paintings of Water Lilies that Monet is known for, but this one in particular has always stood out to me. I recently got to see it first-hand during a visit to the Dallas Museum of Art, and spent several minutes in awe, standing frozen in front of the painting. The pictures surrounding it seemed to fade away as I stood there basking in the serenity of such wonderful simplicity. Soft, almost blurry lines coupled with delicate colors and the divine beauty of nature offer a reprieve from the often chaotic outside world. Monet successfully conjures a sense of deep relaxation by giving the observer a feeling of sitting on the water's edge, free to count the lilies floating on the surface of the pond. One can easily imagine the sounds associated with the scene: bees buzzing over the blooming flowers, birds chirping their springtime song, and ducks quacking playfully as they swim in the distance. The rich hues of blue, green and white, speckled with light purple, pink, and yellow give off a warm glow when illuminated. The artist's brush strokes seem hurried, yet full of intent, and are very inviting... almost as if touching the canvas would give us a look inside the artist's mind. By creating a flow of dimensions, Monet shows his viewers how to look at the painting. He starts by placing lilies of varying size throughout the painting, the largest of which are strategically placed on the lower-left part of the canvas. From this focal point, one's eyes can follow the water up between the lily pads to the reflection of a huge tree. The colors of the tree are a healthy green and seem to signify the stability of the countryside. It's almost as if the picture is telling us that summer will not be too hot this year, that the rain will come before the crops dry, and the harvest will be plentiful. Monet then encourages us to take in the full scope of the picture, followed by each intricate detail that contributes to its peaceful presence in the room. An old frame surrounds the painting and compliments the mood of it so well that one might think that the frame touched the canvas before any oil paint ever did. The name of the artist, barely visible and to the right of the two lowest lilies, appears to blend with the rest of the painting. It is as if he's showing us how he is a part of this beautiful waterscape and not just its creator. In fact, every aspect of this painting blends together seamlessly, forming one complete picture. It allows us to wonder what the lilies look like in the light of a sunset, or how the water would feel in between our toes. It allows us to wonder how many frogs are hiding under the lily pads. It encourages us to picture what life would be like in a simpler time. Most importantly, it reminds us to appreciate the little things in life.