France, 19th century / 1864
Spring Flowers
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Spring Flowers as painting (France, 19th century · 1864).
Monet is quoted as saying, "I perhaps owe having become a painter to flowers . " He painted this work in 1864, the first productive year of his career.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this painting as oil on canvas and credits Claude Monet (French, 1840–1926).
The museum's collection notes: This early work reveals Claude Monet's fascination with capturing the transitory effects that became the primary focus of his later innovations. Painted with almost scientific accuracy, this still life has a freshness and immediacy derived partly from its composition. Isolated against a dark background, the fully mature peonies, potted hydrangeas, and basketed lilacs spill downward and outward from the geraniums at the rear. At the same time, Monet's energetic brushwork conveys the sparkling play of light on leaves and petals.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtSpring FlowersOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.