Monet - The water lilies of Giverny

PR Log (Press Release) – Oct 22, 2009 – A limitless expanse of water lilies covers the walls of a room at the Orangerie in Paris producing a sense of awe at the culmination of Monet’s years of tedious focus upon his pond and the water lilies at Giverny: the Grandes Decorations (1921). Many people assume that his love of observing nature and efforts to capture the different effects of light on a setting, particularly the water in this case, inspired the enormous panels that create such an impressive effect. In fact, C.P. Weekes, author of The Invincible Monet stated, “Even his pictures, which to modern eyes appear the essence of romance, were to him scientifically exact reproductions of the effect of light on nature at any given moment” . This study was a common theme in the multiple canvases of similar views as Monet explored the effects of light at different times of the day and seasons on the pond at Giverny, similar to what he had accomplished in other series. However, Weekes is wrong in his assumption that the Water Lilies existed devoid of any romantic influence. In fact, the reflections of the water lilies on the water are not a result of sunlight; instead, they symbolize Monet’s personal artistic reflection on his love for Alice Hoschede. Investigation of Monet’s progression, which focuses on the vast beauty of the reflection of the water lilies in his garden, proves that the loving relationship he had with Alice parallels his paintings, proving that this series was far from a simple study on light.