Claude Monet is a major artist from the nineteenth-century Impressionist movement. The name of this movement is actually attributed to Monet’s 1872 painting Impression, Sunrise.

Monet’s use of color, composition, and light created focal points that were not traditional. Monet’s early works reflect his style. Monet was a part of the relationship that he had with Woman With a Parasol. Camille is his first-born wife. He paints his son and wife on canvas in a beautiful way, using unique brushstrokes and color. Monet would often use his own family to express his artistic technique, explore his artistry or as a reflection of the life that he was experiencing. Monet’s world is revealed through his eyes.

Unmistakable is Monet’s style, which is defined by his mastery of capturing the moment in time with color and light, paired with repeated brushstrokes. These moments on canvas are what have made it possible for more modern movements to flourish, like twentieth-century modernism. Monet’s unique technique and style of brushing has influenced many American artists, including William Merritt Chase. Childe Hasselam and Frank Weston Benson studied Monet while in France.

What initially appears to be random strokes, made in a haphazard manner, are actually carefully planned and strategically executed. On the left, there is a group of clouds which could be viewed as a distraction. Monet’s strokes are so precise that even what appears odd is beautiful. The strokes that look like those of a dry-brush create clouds with incredible detail and realism. This could be evidence that Monet’s interest was in color and light rather than shape or line.

Monet’s use of living subjects in the outdoors, with natural light and experiencing common daily life has created a Monet-esque style. It wasn’t common for artists to paint oil directly on canvas outside in natural light. Monet started the painting outside, but finished it in his own studio. Monet shows his mastery of color in Woman with Parasol. He uses natural light and passion to tell an inspiring story. The yellow daisies and white parasol of the woman clearly show the direction in which the sun is shining. The grass is also seen to reflect light by the yellow. The yellow highlights give the illusion of flickering yellow reflected on her dress. Monet did not paint every blade of grass, but instead used bright hues and colors to suggest the blowing of green grass. These strokes show a strong impressionistic style. This is a style expressed through unique color combinations and techniques. Shadows can be used in a clever way. The Parasol shadow defines the central part of the composition. As the viewer’s gaze flows from the dark green under the Parasol down to her flowing dress, the eye is drawn to it. The shadow of her face on the left and the right side of this painting helps create the perfect harmony that grounds the high-contrast blue sky. From a distance, the subtle variations in color created by strokes of different colors appear darker but are actually made up of many variations of colour. Monet used no black. However, the color variations created the illusion that there was darkness or black.

Monet captures this moment in time from an unusual low angle perspective. It captivates us and makes us want to look closely. This composition is a perfect example of a soft breeze blowing gently across an open scene as the veil sweeps her face. The positioning of the subjects facing the viewer creates stunning personality. The low, horizon-lined sky and the curvature of the dress draw the eye from the blue sky down to the green lawn below. The girl standing higher up on the hill is a result of the boy standing beneath the horizon line. Curved lines in the dress, clouds and grass create a calming energy.

Monet was a master impressionist because he could paint the world in a way that suited his vision. It’s interesting to see the connection between Monet and his circumstances when he painted “Woman with a Parasol”. Monet’s depression and financial stress while he was creating his masterpiece is one of the most interesting conclusions. Monet committed suicide not long after Jean’s birth in 1868. A few years after Camille’s death, Monet would attempt suicide. The struggles of the great Impressionist are revealed when we view Monet’s work through these circumstances. Monet used some interesting symbolism that may have alluded to the situations that could have consumed him. Monet might have chosen to depict a family in this sunny scene because he was trying to capture the moment. Even with all the technological advances of today, it can be difficult to capture a family’s quality time. It’s interesting to note that Monet’s wife holds a parasol as she shields herself from sunlight. This could be interpreted as a sign of status or protection. Why is she wearing a veil? Does it protect her or does she hide something? It is important to note subtle colors such as pink in the dress of the woman or red and green on the son’s hat. What is the effect of these subtle shades on the painting’s composition? What would happen if these subtleties were removed? Could her light-colored dress, which resembles a wedding dress, symbolize purity? Monet’s “snapshot”, which depicts his wife and son strolling in a Paris suburb, is set in one of most romantic and beautiful places on earth. In this image, it appears that Camille is being admired by someone. Monet seems to be memorializing Camille before her illness. Monet was a big fan of landscapes. Monet was born in France and was very familiar with the countryside. He used nature’s relationship with current events to express a hidden meaning.

The Woman With a Parasol was a spontaneous family photograph, very different to the traditional family photographs of the time. This masterpiece seems to have a theme of a portrait taken in daily life. The contrast between soft colors, texture and light tells a story that will last centuries. Both subjects seem to have stopped in their tracks, looking straight into the eyes of the viewer. However, neither subject smiles, instead they adopt an odd pose. Monet’s ability to capture the light, the wind and the sun is impressive.

Before the Impressionists, art was pretty predictable. Monet revolutionized a particular art form. He also charted new paths that led to modern art. This is the redefinition, or how to depict reality in real time and space. The nineteenth century saw a revolution in how artists captured the interaction of light with a topic and the emotion of first sight. Painting in this manner was not considered high art. It’s similar to the way we think of graffiti artists in our modern day. Are we able to see all the details, faces, and interesting moments when we are looking at a landscape? Monet was one of many Impressionists who captured everyday life in nature on canvas. Discoveries of moments in the past affected their work.