“Woman with a Parasol – Madame Monet and Her Son”
For today, a masterpiece.
“Woman with a Parasol – Madame Monet and Her Son”, is an iconic oil on canvas painting by the Impressionist artist, Claude Monet, from 1875. Monet painted the figures in this piece with the same technique that he used with the background, in quick thick brushstrokes of color indicative of the Impressionism style.
This painting depicts Monet’s wife, Camille, and their son, Jean. His family is shown on a stroll through the countryside. Rather than paint a traditional family portrait, Monet wanted to paint a naturalistic family scene. This was painted in one session, en plein air.
Camille is standing on the top of a hill holding a parasol to shield her from the bright sunshine. Her body is slightly turned toward the viewer and it appears as if she is quickly glancing over at them. Their eight-year-old son stands just behind the mother, also facing the viewer. The light and dark colors juxtaposed together give the effect of sun dappled light. The painting setting is a fleeting moment, captured forever, immortalized in oil paints.
Between 1875 and 1876, Monet produced a series of paintings just outside of Argenteuil. This is where Monet would establish his famed gardens with the iconic Japanese bridge. The country setting provided endless opportunities for inspiration.
“Woman with a Parasol” was first exhibited at the second Impressionist exhibition in Paris in 1876. Critics praised the spontaneity and naturalism of the painting. It was purchased by Monet’s personal physician, who would often take payment in the form of art.
Eleven years later, Monet created a painting similar to this, titled “Study of a Figure Outdoors: Woman with a Parasol, facing left”. The model this time was the daughter of his second wife. His first wife had died prematurely in 1879, just four years after this painting.
“Woman with a Parasol – Madame Monet and Her Son” is currently on display at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. in the United States.
For more on Claude Monet, please visit his short biography here.
You can find more artists to learn about here.
