Module 3 Art Analysis

 

https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/claude-monet-the-water-lily-pond

The painting uses a multitude of colors in the impressionism style of painting. It relies on shadows and light to create form. The many shades of green translate it to be very overgrown and is what gives the painting the majority of its form and three dimensional space.

Color:

    The colors of the painting are primarily green, but there is a multitude of colors used throughout the painting. The greens of the bushes and plant life seemingly are determined by the lighting of the piece itself. That is to say, the rich shades of the earthy colors get darker in the shadows and lighter to the left to create the illusion of light hitting the brush. The lighter greens are also used on the bridge as well, probably to emphasize it in the midground. The bridge's colors also give a sense of the time of day as only half of it on the right side reflects the blue sky which adds to its world building and atmosphere. The more vibrant colors of the pond help to create its form as a light catching liquid. This is done with the reflection of the brush and trees in the pond as well as the colorful pinks, purples and whites of the lilies sitting on top of the water. The lilies become more vibrant in areas and dull in others as seen in the shadow of the bridge helping to create the three dimensional space. 

 

Line:

The linework in the painting is choppy, thin but visible. The changing of upwards strokes and a mixture of rapid dots and motion is a good example of impressionism. Most of the painting is relatively formless, which relies on accurate lighting to give it an accurate form. There are upward strokes on the trees on the left but also messy dots on the trees to the right. This makes a more cloud appearance to the trees which builds atmosphere but also because of the color choices keeps their solid form. This may have been a conscious choice in the absence of a sky backdrop. The bridges harsher more clear lines give it a very solid man-made form that stands out from the rest of the very natural scene.

Monet, Claude. "The Water-Lily Pond." The National Gallery. January 01, 1899. Accessed March 25, 2021. https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/claude-monet-the-water-lily-pond.