[Analysis] Claude Monet’s “Woman with a Parasol — Madame Monet and Her Son” is considered one of the most acclaimed Impressionist pieces. Not only does it show the painter’s wife and son, but it also contains all major characteristics of the nineteenth-century art movement.
Claude Monet’s “Woman with a Parasol — Madame Monet and Her Son” depicts the Impressionist’s first wife, Camille, and their eldest son, Jean, on an afternoon stroll in Argenteuil, a commune in the suburbs of Paris. The oil-on-canvas piece belongs to the collection of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon and can be viewed at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Dating to 1875, it was first shown to a wider public at the Second Impressionist Exhibition in Paris in 1876. (Read more about the Impressionists here.)
The two protagonists, 28-year-old Camille and her petite son Jean, eight at that time, are depicted standing on a lush flower meadow. Camille is turned to the left but looks straight toward the viewer — in this case, in the direction of the painter, her husband, Claude Monet. Little Jean, located right next to his mother, is likewise turned to the spectator, slightly gazing to the right. Observers can only perceive the boy’s upper body as the high grass covers his legs. Facial expressions are hardly recognizable as well since Monet, in the style of the Impressionists, did not paint facial features in detail but solely indicated them.
Camille, wearing a sweeping, long white skirt with blue accents and a matching jacket, as well as a blue scarf and a veiled azure hat, is holding a green parasol in both hands; in contrast, Jean, covered in a beige shirt and a fawn hat with reddish decorations, puts his arms straight downward. The motion of the wind is illustrated by the flowers’ strong movement to the left, as well as by Camille’s wide dress blowing in the same direction. The blossoms predominantly glow in yellow tones, whereas the grass consists of different greenish shades. The bright blue sky, flecked with numerous white clouds, takes up the entire background.
The slight orange fragments appearing on several spots in the sky could depict reflections from the sun. These reflections seem to occur on Camille’s white-blue jacket as well. Overall, Monet used highly bright and benign color shades in this piece. Concerning perspective, an exceedingly low viewpoint was chosen by the artist. The viewer is forced to look up to the subjects due to the upward perspective. Monet’s quick brushstrokes and the blurry contours can be defined not only as characteristics of Impressionist works of art, but first and foremost as typical “Monet features.”
A further noticeable detail: the canvas was painted outdoors — an atypical method at that time, as portraits, according to prevailing academic conventions, were usually created in studios. In contrast to these conservative norms, Impressionists mainly painted casual outdoor situations. The vibrant colors used can as well be classified as typical Impressionist characteristics.
Furthermore, the portrait demonstrates Monet’s playing with light and colors. It was always his intention, after all, to show the effects that light can have on objects. Monet managed to capture a moment of lightness and joy, and the piece is characterized by an utterly lively character. The quick brushstrokes make the scenery vibrant and realistic. Monet combined all important elements of Impressionism in this artwork: plein-air painting, quick brushstrokes, blurry lines, vibrant colors, and lively scenes. This may be one of the reasons for its popularity among art lovers.
