Camille Monet on a Garden Bench: The Dark within the Light

For Blog #5 I choose to interpret this painting: 

Title: Camille Monet on a Garden Bench

Artist: Claude Monet (French, Paris 1840–1926 Giverny)

Date: (1847-1879)

Medium: Oil on canvas

Size: 23 7/8 x 31 5/8 in.

This painting was presumably made in Paris, France at the Monet's residence in Argenteuil. Painted here is Claude's wife Camille Doncieux, wearing latest French fashion and holding a note in her hand, with someone presumed to be their neighbour, and an unknown woman in the background. Beside Camille lays a bouquet of flowers. 

To better understand the meaning behind this painting, I decided to draw my own rendition:

Definitely not as good as the original, but I'm pretty proud of it.

What better helped me devise my interpretation of the painting is the context: The same year this was painted, 1873, Camille's father had died, and the neighbour is said to have come to bring his condolences and a bouquet of flowers to match. Though it's springtime, there's a stark contrast between the bright greens, blues, and reds, in the background, and the black and white color scheme of Camille's area. There's also shade casted in Camille's presence, while the audience can see light shining in the background. The "dark" parts of the painting are put at the audience's attention, while the "light" parts are put away from the audience's attention. I think Claude Monet's purpose of this painting is to show that there can be darkness within the light. Even though the Monet's are obviously wealthy, as seen by Camille wearing the latest fashion for France in the spring of 1873, and their nice estate, with its beautiful, bright, and decorated garden, they still experience hardships; their lives aren't perfect. Camille experiences death and despair, she experiences darkness. I think the painting's message can be interpreted both as the wealthy can experience hardships, and also the lightest people experience darkness. Both interpretations can be applicable to today's world, especially in the world of social media: everyone, no matter how bright they may seem, has darkness in them. Whether it's in the 1800s or the 2000s, people can put up fronts, whether it's to their neighbours or their Instagram followers. While lives might seem perfect, people have challenges that they go through.