Corner of the basin of the Nymphéas

Title: “Corner of the Basin of the Nymphéas” by Claude Monet

Year: 1918

Art Style: Impressionism

“Corner of the Basin of the Nymphéas” by Claude Monet is a radiant masterpiece from the late period of the artist’s life. Painted in 1918, it epitomizes the characteristic features of the Impressionist movement, a revolutionary art style Monet helped establish.

Claude Monet, a renowned French painter, was one of the leading figures of Impressionism, an art movement that sought to capture the fleeting effects of light and color in the natural world. His paintings are celebrated for their vivid, loose brushwork and evocative depiction of landscapes.

The “Corner of the Basin of the Nymphéas” painting is part of a series Monet created, focusing on his water lily pond at his home in Giverny, France. This series, in general, is known for its abstract quality and bold use of color. They mark a departure from Monet’s earlier works and are indicative of his continued evolution as an artist.

This particular painting, “Corner of the Basin of the Nymphéas,” presents an almost dream-like view of the pond. The water’s surface, dappled with lilies, mirrors the sky, blurring the boundaries between the two. It’s a sublime study of reflections, where the border between reality and its mirrored image becomes indistinguishable.

What makes this painting especially unique is Monet’s innovative approach to perspective. Instead of a traditional viewpoint, Monet places us directly above the water, removing the horizon line entirely. This approach, combined with his broad, almost abstract brush strokes, creates a feeling of being enveloped in the landscape.