Response to Monets Water Lillies - Art Commentary - Term Paper Example

While there are a host of famed artworks that grace the walls and spaces of the world’s great cultural centres and museums, few have gotten the attention of the public like those of the impressionists, particularly the works of Claude Monet (1840-1926). In fact, one of the highest prices paid for a single work of art was invested in one of his Water Lilies (1920-1926) series, which sold in 2008 for over $70 million.The interest in this series of paintings continues today, as seen by the public and critical response to the Monet’s Water Lilies exhibition held in New York City at the Museum of Modern Art from September 13, 2009, until April 12, 2010.

The in-person access to artworks of this stature gives an opportunity for critique and interpretation from many viewpoints. It was in this spirit that Dr Baldacchino granted permission for me to use my personal notes from several visits during this showing period in order to offer my interpretation of Water Lilies through a novel lens.Monet’s Water Lilies series is astounding in person. Its size is monumental, its colours are overwhelming, and its brushwork is beautiful. Upon my initial viewings, several key aspects of the work became apparent to me.

First, the monumental perspective of the three paintings seemed interesting to me because it stands in contrast to many of the landscape paintings of the same time period. Second, the brush strokes used by Monet in these works seemed expressive and natural, specifically in the water reflections and surroundings areas. Lastly, Monet’s unique style of brushstroke intrigued me. The Water lily triptych has a strong drawing quality about it that is also noticeable in many of Monet’s other artworks.

He draws nature’s movement with his brushstrokes rather than painting them. As a viewer felt, this technique gave me the effect of feeling closer to nature, as if having been face to face with elements of nature facing back at me.