Around 1881 Monet created this oil on canvas piece which was inspired by a home he was renting in Vétheuil, France. Monet planted gardens wherever he lived and this house was no different. For this home, he actually made arrangements with the owner to landscape the terraces. The young child at the end of the steps is Monet’s son and the two behind him are others who also lived in the same house with him. One interesting thing about this piece is the large flower pots where Monet’s and he took them whenever he moved.
I chose this piece “The Artist’s Garden at Vétheuil” taking inspiration from the season changing into summer. The green grass, sunflowers and blue sky’s give me a warm feeling. This piece also takes me back to a time when summer meant I had no school or responsibilities. Spending time with friends and family swimming in the pool, having a backyard BBQ and neighborhood bonfires are just some things that come to mind when I think of summers I had when growing up. This piece also reminds me of my childhood home. My parents had a very large garden with beautiful flowers of all kinds and my favorite peonies.
Along with the feeling I get from this piece I really enjoy the bright vibrate yellows, blues, greens. As well as the shades of color you see throughout this piece that really bring this picture to life. My absolute favorite part of this piece is how very real it is. When I look at the grass I can feel it and remember what it was like running through the grass barefoot when I was a child. When I look at the sunflowers I can smell them and remember helping my parents in the garden. You can feel the overall warmth coming through this piece and all things to do with summer.
Source:
“The Artist’s Garden at Vétheuil.” Art Object Page, www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.52189.html.
Cassidy Bruno 