The Japanese Bridge

Claude Monet loved painting in series. During 1918–1924, he created his last series: a sequence of 24 canvases featuring the Japanese footbridge from his property in Giverny.

Monet was in his late 70s then and was going blind. He had serious cataracts and he admitted being able to see “less and less,” as he told a journalist in early 1921. “I always paint at the times of day most propitious for me, as long as my paint tubes and brushes are not mixed up”. By 1922, however, it became clear to Monet that only surgery, hazardous as it might be, could sufficiently ameliorate his condition and allow him to continue painting. Apprehensive as ever, Monet had the first date postponed, but then between January and July 1923, Dr. Charles Coutela performed three operations that restored the artist’s sight, but with the side effect of adversely altering his perception of color. This may be the reason why his late paintings, like this one, look like one huge spot of color. We may even say they are abstract.

If you would like to learn more about Monet and his late works check out our online course on Impressionism .  : )

P.S. Here's another painting showing the bridge in completely different circumstances (more suiting the autumn atmosphere) and here is a brief story of Claude Monet’s garden in Giverny where the footbridge is placed and where you can see it and even walk across it! <3