Monet in the '90s

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Monet's renowned series paintings from the 1890s, including the haystacks, poplars, and Rouen Cathedral, exemplify his fascination with light, color, and ephemeral moments. In this insightful book, Paul Hayes Tucker offers a new perspective on these celebrated works. He argues that Monet's series were not merely artistic explorations of nature's beauty but also reflections of contemporary events in France and his ambition to lead the nation’s artistic narrative. Once criticized for his unconventional approach, Monet emerged by the late 1890s as a distinguished landscape painter and a national icon. Tucker investigates the factors that influenced this transformation, including shifts in Monet's art, changes in public taste, and evolving national sentiments. He delves into the cultural pressures of the 1880s that prompted Monet to embrace serial painting, and he analyzes the major and minor series from the following decade, exploring their creation, reception, and significance for both Monet and his audience. This study enriches our understanding of the series paintings, revealing how their intricate surfaces and striking light effects resonate with deep aesthetic and nationalistic themes. By placing these works in a broader historical context, Tucker provides a fresh view of Monet's role in the complexities of late 19th-century French culture. The book's release coincides with an exhibition of Monet's series paintings in Boston