Monet in Giverny: Landscapes of Reflection

This beautifully illustrated volume takes a fresh look at some of the most enduring landscapes painted by Claude Monet between 1883 and 1926 in and around his garden at Giverny, some 50 miles northwest of Paris. His depiction of sites in the surrounding countryside and of iconic garden motifs such as the Japanese footbridge, water lilies, and wisterias are characterised by subtle colouring and expressive brushwork, making these paintings among the most innovative of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, as well as some of the most beloved masterpieces of French art. Unlike many recent books on Giverny that have tended to focus on planting and garden design, ‘Monet in Giverny: Landscapes of Reflection’ looks at the theme of reflection in all its forms, focusing on the garden as a continuing source of inspiration for Monet, as well as a reflection of his own theories on art. Featuring 12 seminal paintings from major collections, this volume also examines Monet’s paintings at Giverny in the context of contemporary developments in art and photography. A first-hand account of the garden, written in 1891 by French author and critic Octave Mirbeau, has been translated for the first time for this volume by Benedict Leca, and is illustrated with 15 historic photos of the artist and his garden. Published to accompany an exhibition at the Cincinnati Art Museum, February 4 - May 13, 2012.