The artwork that I have chosen to analyse in this essay is called The Stroll, Camille and her Son Jean by French Impressionist Claude Monet. It was created by using oil on canvas in 1875.
The artwork depicts his wife, Lady Monet, and their son Jean on a stroll on a beautiful sunny day. It is a masterpiece that successfully epitomizes the Impressionist concept of "the Glance" and exceptionally conveys the impression of a snap shot in time. The feathery splashes of cool, harmonious colour are significant in establishing the effect of naturalness. This spontaneity is also created by the portrayal of sunlight and wind. Monet has placed the main subject of the painting, Lady Monet, in the centre foreground, and placed their son Jean in the background to the left of the painting.
It can be discerned from the spiraling folds of her dress that the wind is blowing from their left. Bright sunlight shines from behind Camille to whiten the top of her parasol and the flowing cloth at her back, while colored reflections from the wildflowers below touch her front with yellow. .
A particular aspect of the painting is the strong upward perspective. The view from below succeeds in silhouetting the figures against the sky, which exaggerates the vibrant effect of sun and light. By portraying his son only from the waist up, Monet conveys a sense of depth and complexity to the setting. If he had not placed the figure like this it would seem as though Lady Monet were walking along a tightrope of grass, using the parasol to keep her balanced. Woman with a Parasol was painted outdoors, probably in a single session of several hours' duration. Monet has achieved an exhilarating contrast between the swirling wind, clouds and light and the foundation of the hillside, with the figure of Mrs. Monet connecting the two.
I regard this painting as a masterpiece because it captures the effect of movement exceptionally well and makes use of colour and light in a remarkable way.
