Monet
spent the summer of 1867 at a seaside resort in the town of Sainte-Adresse. Here
he portrays a scene from one of its charming gardens. From an elevated
viewpoint, one looks down at the ladies and gentlemen at leisure, and then out
to the peaceful sea. The garden, sea, and sky are distinguished by three bands
of color, inspired by Japanese woodblock prints. . Everything is pleasantly
sunlit. The fluttering flags, vibrant flowers, and yawning shadows all invite
one to contemplate the moment.
"All in all, it was a never to be forgotten
summer — one of those summers which come seldom into any life, but leave a rich
heritage of beautiful memories in their going — one of those summers which, in
a fortunate combination of delightful weather, delightful friends and
delightful doing, come as near to perfection as anything can come in this
world." —L.M.
Montgomery, Anne's House of Dreams
