Artist research: Monet:

Claude Monet was born in Paris in 1840 and was a leading French Impressionist landscape painter. 

What I notice first in this painting 'Water Lilies Setting Sun' is the colour scheme, the pink and orange tones stand out when compared to the more muted greens. These colours are warm and inviting, the orange and pink compliment each other and I think that the sunset reflected in the water is calming. The daily transition from day to night is grounding, allowing for a moment of mindfulness and relaxation. I love the impressionist style of the work, the edges of the water lilies are rougher and blurred and contrast the flowing movement of the water, I think that there is something delicately wild about the forms of there lilies, the pink flowers are feminine and gentle but the corners of the lily pads jut out in odd angles which allow for them to seem untamed amongst an otherwise picturesque pond. In terms of scale, this work seems like a zoomed in snapshot of a greater landscape, Monet has painted this piece in a way that seems to expand beyond the canvas creating a feeling of longing and curiosity, wanting to see more. Looking at this work, I think there is something inherently romantic about it, pinks and reds are often associated with romance and love and I believe that this creates a calm and loving atmosphere within the work. As if the viewer is on an anniversary date washing the sunset with their loved one. 

When I look at this piece 'Bathers at La Grenouillere' painted in 1869 I think that it has a far more impressionist style than the previous work, possibly because it was painted later in Monets career. When looking closely you can see the visible texture and the technique and layering of the oil paint is clear, the colours have been places onto the canvas in think marks that create the illusion of a landscape. I think that the colours that have been used within this work are fresh and calming, they create a completely different atmosphere compared to the work above. The greens and blues allow the work to feel open and free and the ripples depicted in the water create movement within the work. There is depth within this work, the trees and landscape get smaller and seem to disappear off into the distance and the subject within the work are staggered to appear as if there are some behind the others. I think that due to the impressionist style of the painting the lines and forms that can be seen are looser and messy in some ways. But I think that this creates a sense of freedom within the work, and paired with the cool and open colours there is a care free undertone to the work.