The main importance of Monet’s Westminster Bridge is the elegance it holds. This painting is “one of the finest records of Monet’s wartime stay in England” (Seitz 64). With the background being a warm, misty, atmospheric variation of red, violet, and green hues, the buildings contrast in a cool blue, but still very light and dense. A few distant tugs in the background form a silhouette on top of the ripples of waves in the water. A calm serenity of quiet and peace concludes the theme. This was painted on the Embankment, close to the site of Thames. WILD POPPIES (1873, Oil on Canvas, 19 5/8 x 25 1/2”, The Louvre, Paris) [Seitz 70]
“Delicately brushed and [with] thinly painted tones” (Seitz 70), is the structure of Monet’s Wild Poppies. Though this painting is relatively flat in detail, the brightly abstract poppies bring out the overall happy feeling to the given emotion. With Camille and six year old Jean taking a walk in the sunny meadow, they bring tranquility. Speaking of this, 1875 was a rather tranquil time for Monet and Camille; “it was the happiest since the carefree days at Chailly” (Seitz 70).
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