Artist and Date

The painting was executed by Claude Monet, a French impressionist artist, in the year 1881

Location and Inspiration

Monet painted this work while living in Vétheuil, a town west of Paris along the Seine River. Vétheuil served as an escape from city life and provided Monet with the opportunity to cultivate a garden, which is depicted in the painting. The garden, with its climbing nasturtiums, was a significant subject for Monet during his time there

Medium and Dimensions

The painting is an oil on canvas work, measuring 92.1 x 73.3 cm (36 1/4 x 28 7/8 in.) unframed, and 93 cm (36 5/8 in.) framed

Composition and Style

The painting features Monet's characteristic use of color and light. It depicts a garden scene with vibrant flowers, particularly nasturtiums, which Monet represented with swirls and splashes of orange. By the early 1880s, Monet had become more interested in the painted surface itself, leading to a more textured and heavily layered composition. The brushstrokes, while inspired by nature, take on a more decorative quality at close range

Provenance

The painting was sold by Monet to the art dealer Durand-Ruel in December 1881 (though some sources suggest 1891). It was later purchased by John Pickering Lyman and then gifted by his sister, Theodora Lyman, to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston in 1919, where it is currently part of the collection

Inscriptions and Accession

The painting is inscribed 'Claude Monet 81' in the lower left corner and has the accession number 19.1313 at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
This painting is a notable example of Monet's work during his time in Vétheuil, reflecting his ongoing exploration of light, color, and the natural world.