The artwork “Bouquet of Sunflowers” was created by Claude Monet in 1880, during a period when the Impressionist movement was flourishing. It is categorized within the genre of flower painting, a subject that Monet visited repeatedly to explore the effects of light and color. Impressionism, known for its loose brushwork and vibrant color palette, is exemplified in this piece.
The artwork itself is vividly rendered with a lush array of yellow sunflowers, each one seemingly bursting with life and energy. The sunflowers are densely packed into a white vase that sits atop a surface draped in a bold, red fabric, the folds of which are captured in quick, expressive strokes that convey movement. The background of the painting is composed of muted lilac tones, giving a calm, contrasting backdrop to the lively flowers, whose petals and leaves are depicted with thick, textured brushwork, typical of Impressionism’s avant-garde style. Monet’s use of light infuses the bouquet with a sense of warmth and immediacy, inviting viewers to consider the transient nature of light and beauty.
