Art Analysis: The Poppy Field Near Argenteuil (Monet, 1873)


 The Poppy Field Near Argenteuil

Claude Monet (1873)

The Poppy Field near Argenteuil, 1873 by Claude Monet (claude-monet.com)

    Monet produced this piece two years after moving to Argenteuil with his family in 1871. Depicted in the oil painting are his wife Camille and their son, Jean. Argenteuil became one of Monet's homes as he settled into the French countryside with the subjects of this painting to spend the years comforting his ill wife.

    Great use is made of color within this painting to give an illusion of a faint wind moving through the poppies. Monet gives the viewer this illusion through the splotchiness of the flowers, giving unclear boundaries for where each flower ends or begins.

    Additionally, texture is further put to use in immersing the reader in the gentle breeze that rocks the field. The blurred landscape of poppies along with its soft, ethereal texture, gives an impression of movement and even temperature, letting one feel the breeze along their own skin.

    Tone is very modestly used to wonderful effect in making proper lighting for the scene portrayed. Although the painting shows an idyllic summer's day with fair weather, very minute changes in tone, such as the shadow beneath Camille's hat or the brightness near the edges of trees, show deliberate effort on Monet's part to lend the viewer the warmth of the summer sun. Atop the cool color scheme that gives a slight chill to the skin is an opposing heat, both in harmony.

    It feels like a disservice to the piece as well as a contrast to its intended emotions to display this painting in a stark, sterile environment. A warm gallery or home makes this piece seem most at home to me, to match its comfort.

    For most of my life I have wished to see French countryside, especially poppy fields. Poppies are my favorite flower, and I deeply hope I can see and appreciate them before I've come to my final years.



Bibliography

“The Poppy Field near Argenteuil, 1873 by Claude Monet.” Diego Rivera, 2010, 

            www.claude-monet.com/the-poppy-field.js.

‌Artyfactory. “The Visual Elements of Art.” Artyfactory.com, 2014, 

            www.artyfactory.com/art_appreciation/visual-elements/visual-elements.html.

            The Visual Elements (artyfactory.com)

‌

Comments

  1. Max T.N.September 22, 2022 at 11:34 AM

    Love your choice of painting!

    I completely agree, this painting does deserve to be displayed in a place that reflects its cozy tone. The use of texture in this piece does a fantastic job portraying a pleasant breeze, in a way forcing the viewer to be nostalgic. It's like a warm hug.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Owen KellySeptember 22, 2022 at 11:08 PM

    This painting is so beautiful! I love the texture of this piece, not only does it add to the feel of the piece, but is also a language pretty consistent across Monet's works I feel like, at least from my limited knowledge. The colors of this piece immediately caught my eye, the red poppies especially stood out to me when I was looking through what images our peers had chosen.

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