An example of Color Art?

I saw a question today on Yahoo answers which I think deserves mentioning. It was whether Impression Sunrise by Claude Monet was an example of Color Art?

Now, first of all, what color art consists of would be the first question to ask. That was however not clarified. As such, there are really two options. Either we are talking about whether the painting is in color (which it most definitely is) or whether it can be consider color realism along the lines of e.g. Dutch master Vermeer (which it can most definitely not be). So I guess the main question is down to a definition of what is really asked.

At the least, I must say that any argument to the fact that due to its limited use of color, employing mainly a blue-grey color with the sun mainly standing out, obviously have not experienced sunrise across the harbor in Le Havre and how the light and fog interacts to create such effects. Such studies of light be the artist was actually the main subject for Monet, with the artists neutrality in forming the impression assured. As such, this is actually a study of light and color generated by certain conditions. So from here, color art it is. See more Claude Monet reproductions and brighten up your home with Impression Sunrise.

Autumn in Argentuil

Sometime you find a painting that is just right, where the artist has truly understood their subject and in turn created a timeless masterpiece that truly captures their context completely. Autumn in Augentuil is just such a painting. Painted by Monet in 1873, the year after he completed Impression Sunrise but still a year before it was first publicly displayed, Monet committed this masterpiece. It depicts a view of Argentuil, seen further down the Seine, which is in turn surrounded by trees. It is fall. The orange and yellow colors of the trees clearly show that. It is also early morning. The reflections in the water and the sky indicate as much but, much more impressively, the light in the painting itself clearly indicate that this is the dawn of a new day. Perfect choice for a Claude Monet reproduction painting.

This last is strictly due to the mastery of Monet. He studied the effects of light under different conditions and most of his paintings deals with this. This is no exception as in “Autumn in Argentuil”, he to perfection captured the light and feel of a clear autumn morning at Argentuil. You can almost feel the chill morning air against your skin and see the sun rising and you gaze at this masterpiece. A master of light effects displaying his skills to the world.

Autumn in Argentuil can today be found on display at the Courtauld Institute Galleries in London, UK.

Agapanthus (Flower of the Nile)

Claude Monet spend the majority of his last 20 years as a painter depicting his garden at his house in Giverny. Among his favorite motives here were his famous water lilies, for which he had established a pond at the back of the house. However, Monet’s garden contained much more than just the lilies. He was an avid garden enthusiast and was always looking to expand the wealth of plants there.

Agapanthus, also known as the Flower of the Nile, is a plant native to South Africa, though it can be cultivated for more varied climates. Monet brought Agapanthus to be included in his garden, and in Agapanthus he depicts them interacting with his well known water lilies. The painting contains several Monet characteristics. First and foremost, the depiction of light off the face of the water and among the Agapanthus is extraordinary, the work of a true master. The painting also features the small light brush strokes that Monet and the impressionists in general favored. It is an showcase of Monet’s mastery of both. Have your own Claude Monet reproductions of your favourite Monet.