The artwork titled “Chrysanthemums” is a quintessential piece by the master impressionist Claude Monet, painted in 1897. It is an oil on canvas representation, exemplifying the Impressionist movement through its distinctive brushwork and light. Measuring 88.5 by 130.1 cm, it falls within the genre of flower painting. Currently, this artwork resides within a private collection, away from the public eye.
“Chrysanthemums” radiates with an assemblage of blooms set against a dense, foliage-rich background. Monet’s treatment of color and texture brings each flower to life with a vibrancy that seems to capture the essence of the chrysanthemum’s natural beauty. The blooms are depicted in a variety of hues including soft pinks, whites, bold yellows, and deep reds, presenting a harmonious blend that invites the viewer to delight in the subtleties of nature’s palette. True to the Impressionist ethos, the painting eschews fine detail for a more atmospheric and emotion-evoking experience; brushstrokes are visible and vigorous, lending a dynamic and almost tactile quality to the scene.
Embodying a moment captured in time, the artist’s use of light and color conveys a sense of immediacy, as if the viewer is glimpsing a fleeting, tranquil garden scene. There’s a sense of movement within the stillness of the flowers, suggestive of the gentle sway of the chrysanthemums in a soft breeze—a trademark of Monet’s style. The artwork stands as a testament to the enduring allure of Impressionism and Monet’s mastery in expressing the transient effects of light and color through his painterly technique.
