Art of Choice- Paris

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When I looked at Monet’s “Water Lilies” painting I thought it was absolutely beautiful. I had never seen a painting like it before and it blew me away. Up close you could see all the brush strokes and it wasn’t very defined or clear as to what it was, but if you backed up to the other side of the room and looked at it then you could see the whole picture and the pond that he was painting. I just think it is really pretty. I also loved the different colors he used. It wasn’t just one color for the whole piece but each panel had its own color scheme and mood to go with it. 


Historically and culturally it's important because it is a masterpiece of impressionist art. It was painted between the late 19th century and early 20th century and there was a lot of change in art at this time and people were moving away from the traditional artistic techniques and ways of creating, so the impressionist movement was very important. This is one of the most famous impressionist paintings and it captures the essence of impressionism very well. It also is a symbol of French artistic innovation, and it establishes Paris as a center for art and creativity, it draws lots of art lovers to witness it in Paris.  



In my opinion, "Water Lilies" contributes to the city's status as a cultural capital by serving as a beacon of artistic excellence and creativity. Its presence in museums and galleries throughout the city provides residents and visitors alike with the opportunity to engage with one of the most iconic works of art in history. By celebrating Monet's legacy and the broader Impressionist movement, Paris reaffirms its commitment to fostering artistic innovation and preserving its rich cultural heritage for future generations to appreciate and enjoy.

Comments

  1. Sophie TravellerMay 6, 2024 at 3:21 PM

    I loved this painting too!! You can totally use this to answer question 3 about the different artworks and how it has encompassed and effected Paris. Especially when it comes to the significance of impressionist art and Monet himself! I think it is also important to note the sign just before you walk into the room and how it says that Monet intended it to be a space for meditation and reflection and wanted it to be silent. I think that that is significant when you even look at his own life style out in the country side and then compare it to how people really act in that room now (let's just say not super quiet).

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  2. Sienna PuckrinMay 7, 2024 at 2:06 PM

    I love how you described it as a “beacon of excellence”. This post would be great to answer question 3 on the cities final. Monet was one of the greats that defined the Impressionist movement. Art is key to what makes a cultural capital and I think you touched on that beautifully when mentioning cultural heritage.

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  3. Meg KiehlMay 16, 2024 at 2:03 PM

    Betsy: I love that you chose to focus on Monet’s “Water Lillies” mural! It was one of my favorite pieces we saw while in Paris. I like that you linked it to contributing to Paris being a cultural capital because of the creatively Monet showed throughout the piece. Monet was such a critical part of the Impressionist movement and this piece is a great example of his work. Great job!

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