Among the Impressionist painters, Claude Monet was a relatively stable one. And why wouldn’t he be– he curated a thriving garden that continued to inspire him until he died at the ripe old age of 86.
Giverny in France, just west of Paris, is where tourists can still discover the late painter’s oasis. And because it’s just a short train ride away via Eurostar, there’s no excuse not to spend a day lingering among the lush lilies and bridges that remain.
Visiting the gardens was a reminder to me that Monsieur Monet was, in a way, still very much alive. Even an art history novice like me can hardly ignore his legacy– the tranquility of his work, the captivating nature of his brushstrokes, the ubiquity of his style. I don’t know how many American refrigerators are bedecked with a small magnetic image of his iconic lilies, but there is something about his canvases that makes us want to enter in.
His signature methods of shedding light on his subjects elevated the ordinary to the extraordinary. Photographers and painters know well that the nature of a image can be completely transformed by simply adding or removing light. The fleeting gleams upon faces, petals and ocean waves in Monet’s paintings capture the effervescence of all things physical: at one moment here, the next moment gone.
Though Monet’s life was not without trials or heartache, I have to admire his persistence in constructing a space that fed his creativity. Despite the unpredictable nature of his profession, he planted the proverbial garden of ideas that perennially bloomed and matured with him.
As a writer, I commend Monet’s courage to curate a space centered on his craft. How many of us are brave enough, or committed enough, to foster the ideal circumstances for indulging our creativity? But while some of us might think we can’t afford to invest so much in our talents, perhaps what we can’t afford is not to do so.
The world is waiting for more Monets to plant new gardens and paint its flowers. Let’s do it. Let’s allow that analogy to take us wherever it wants to go.
Thank you so much Camila! Hahah it’s almost hard to believe that Monet constructed a whole garden for himself to paint, right?? You should definitely go if you love Monet– you can see his house too!
Thank you so much Marcella!! It was a really wonderful place!
Absolutely adore this post!! I am obsessed with the water lilies by Monet and I never knew it was in Giverny…it’s stupid but I never even thought of them as being in a real place, but only as being a dream…i feel silly now, of course they were real! Well this is making me add Giverny on my list definitely, it’s just wow!
Gorgeous photos! I love those lilypads and all of the colours you captured – looks amazing!
Thanks girl! And yes, couldn’t agree with that quote!!
Thanks Mar. I know, right?? Who wouldn’t? 🙂
Thank you so much Jo-Anne, I always appreciate your encouraging words!
Thanks Charlotte! I appreciate that 🙂
Thanks Christina!! Hope you had a great weekend 🙂
Yes, next time– you’ve gotta do it!
Water lilies are just gorgeous aren’t they? I want to get a pot filled with water and grow them, but I am the opposite of a green them! Hope you had a great weekend, Kiki!
Yes!! Thanks Nina! 🙂
Thanks!! 🙂
Wow, these photos are so beautiful! Monet is one of my favorites. One of my favorite quotes of his is “I must have flowers. Always and Always”. It’s such a simple, yet beautiful quote! He’s such an inspiration.
Gorgeous photos. I would definitely find some creativity in a space like that.
I liked the photos and the post just so you know, don’t have much else to add today my brain isn’t working well for some reason
Very inspirational, both your words and photos. You’re right, we can’t afford to not invest in our talents. It’s time to be brave!
What an absolutely beautiful place, thank you for the inspiring words on this fine Friday Daisy! 🙂
I really wanted to visit Giverny during our trip to Paris earlier this month, but time just didn’t allow for it. Next time! Beautiful photos!
What a blessing to be able to visit such a place. I’m sure everything around you was blooming with inspiration. I would’ve had to take a notebook and take a seat by one of the ponds if I were there. Lilies are my absolute favorite. Any kind really, but water lilies are one of the most beautiful. Seeing a flower thrive like that over water is so beautiful yet so over looked. I actually have a small post card size of his Water lilies painting on my bulletin board at work. Someone gave it to me forever ago and it always makes me smile. Have a lovely weekend Daisy!
http://www.accordingtokiki.net
How beautiful (the photos) but this is my favorite part: How many of us are brave enough, or committed enough, to foster the ideal circumstances for indulging our creativity?
What a beautiful garden! Really great post!
Renee | Lose The Road