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Student Artwork Guide

Hamerocallis

Claude Monet, 1917

Name Class Date
Claude Monet, Hamerocallis (1917). Public domain. See this canvas under a moving light: the drawing, the true colour under the varnish, the bare pigment

The facts

Artist
Claude Monet topimpressionists.com/en/artists/claude-monet/
Artist’s dates
1840 – 1926
Painted
1917
Medium
Acrylic On Canvas
Movement
Impressionism Painters working fast and outdoors to catch how light actually looked at one moment, rather than finishing smoothly in a studio.
Artistic style
Expressive
Influences
Eugène Boudin
Notable elements or techniques
En plein air painting; Thick brushstrokes
Subject or theme
Hibiscus flower

Copyright This work is in the public domain. Claude Monet died in 1926; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 1996.

Source: TopImpressionists.com — accessed Oct. 3, 2026

Hamerocallis — Claude Monet Part 1 · The artwork

In context

Hamerocallis — Claude Monet

When was this painted?

  1. 1840
  2. 1850
  3. 1860
  4. 1870
  5. 1880
  6. 1890
  7. 1900
  8. 1910
  9. 1920

Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 86 at death.

Painted when the artist was 77. The artist lived to 86. 1426 of the 1565 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.

Shaded: the lifetime of Claude Monet (1840–1926) ▲ this work, 1917 every dated painting, decade by decade

First works: up to 1876 Main working years: 1876–1897 Late works: from 1897

Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them

Compare with

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: topimpressionists.com/en/art/similar/claude-monet-hamerocallis-8EWE52-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Phthalo Green #252617

    Catalogued palette

    • #252617
    • #967652
    • #B09984
    • #5A5934

    These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour

    Palette
    Earthy The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Phthalo Green
    Intensity
    Balanced How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Gentle How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Strong Color Unity How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Balanced How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Balanced Soft How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Where in the world is this painting looked at?

    • under 1%
    • 1–3%
    • 3–8%
    • 8–20%
    • 20% and over
    This painting alone has too few recorded visitors to map, so the plate reads every work by Claude Monet over the last twelve months — 88 countries in all. Where these figures come from

    The ten leading countries

    1. 1 China 42.3%
    2. 2 United States of America 9.5%
    3. 3 Singapore 6.8%
    4. 4 Hong Kong 6.4%
    5. 5 France 5.1%
    6. 6 Italy 3.4%
    7. 7 Germany 1.9%
    8. 8 Brazil 1.8%
    9. 9 United Kingdom 1.5%
    10. 10 Spain 1.5%
    11. · 78 other countries 19.8%

    Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.

    The 20 most looked-at works by Claude Monet

    1. 1 Water Lilies (or Nympheas) 3.8%
    2. 2 Water Lilies, 1906 2.5%
    3. 3 The Walk. Lady with a Parasol, 1875 2.3%
    4. 4 Gare Saint Lazare, Pari, 1877 2.1%
    5. 5 Impression, Sunrise, 1873 1.8%
    6. 6 Clifftop Walk at Pourville, 1882 1.5%
    7. 7 Grainstack in the Morning, Snow Effect, 1890 1.4%
    8. 8 Pathway in Monet's Garden at Giverny, 1902 0.9%
    9. 9 The Thames below Westminster, 1871 0.8%
    10. 10 le bassin aux nympheas - reflets verts, 1920 0.8%
    11. 11 The Road Bridge at Argenteuil, 1874 0.6%
    12. 12 Madame Monet in Japanese Costume (La Japonaise), 1876 0.6%
    13. 13 Camille Monet On Her Deathbed, 1879 0.6%
    14. 14 Irises in Monet's Garden, 1900 0.6%
    15. 15 Monet's Garden at Vetheuil, 1881 0.6%
    16. 16 Poplars at Giverny, 1887 0.6%
    17. 17 Rouen Cathedral, Symphony in Grey and Rose, 1894 0.4%
    18. 18 Boulevard of Capucines, 1874 0.4%
    19. 19 Water-Lily Pond, Symphony in Rose, 1900 0.4%
    20. 1543 Hamerocallis, 1917 this painting 0.0%

    Together these works take 22.7% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 2202 works by this artist, of which 1809 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 1543 of them, with 0.0% of that attention. The same counts, month by month

    Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.

    Source: TopImpressionists.com — accessed Oct. 3, 2026

    Hamerocallis — Claude Monet Part 2 · In context

    About this artwork

    Hamerocallis — Claude Monet

    Claude Monet: Capturing Fleeting Light in Hamerocallis

    Claude Monet, one of the most celebrated artists of the Impressionist movement, left an indelible mark on the world of art with his captivating paintings. Among his numerous works, Hamerocallis stands out for its vibrant colors and delicate portrayal of a flower in a vase. This painting, created in 1917, is a testament to Monet’s skill in capturing the essence of nature through his brushstrokes—a skill honed during his lifelong dedication to plein air painting.

    Monet's artistic journey began with an early fascination for landscapes and a profound belief that art should reflect the immediacy of perception. Encouraged by Eugène Boudin, who instilled within him the revolutionary idea of painting directly from nature, Monet embraced this approach—a cornerstone of Impressionism’s philosophy.

    The Painting: A Closer Look

    Hamerocallis is a close-up depiction of a red hibiscus or rose surrounded by green leaves, set against a yellow background. The vase itself has a subtle purple tint, adding depth to the overall scene. Monet meticulously applied thick layers of paint—a technique characteristic of Impressionism—to capture the interplay of light and color on the subject matter.

    The painting exudes an impressionistic feel, where light and color are used to create a sense of movement and life. Monet’s brushstrokes aren't merely decorative; they convey emotion and intention, striving to reproduce the sensory experience of observing the flower in its environment.

    Monet's Artistic Journey

    Claude Monet was known for his love of nature and his ability to translate it onto canvas with unparalleled sensitivity. His works often featured landscapes, gardens, and flowers—a deliberate choice reflecting his belief that art should capture the beauty of the natural world. Hamerocallis exemplifies this fascination, focusing on the intricate details of a single flower.

    Throughout his prolific career, Monet experimented with various mediums and techniques, constantly refining his approach to painting. His series of haystacks, Rouen Cathedral, and Water Lilies stand as enduring symbols of Impressionism’s commitment to documenting reality as it appears to the eye—a legacy that continues to inspire artists today.

    Impressionism: A Movement in Art

    Monet was a key figure in the Impressionist movement, which sought to break away from academic conventions by prioritizing light and color. His paintings, including Hamerocallis, exemplify this approach—where the play of light on the subject is as important as the subject itself. This revolutionary style challenged established artistic norms and paved the way for modern art.

    Relevance Today

    Today, Monet’s works continue to resonate with audiences worldwide. The Phillips Collection in Washington D.C., a renowned museum known for its impressive collection of European and American art, houses many notable pieces by Claude Monet—including Water Lilies (54), Cobeas, and Christmas Roses. For those interested in exploring more of Monet’s Impressionist masterpieces, Hamerocallis and other paintings like Water Lilies (54), Cobeas, and Christmas Roses can be found on AllPaintingsStore.com.

    To delve deeper into the world of Claude Monet and his contemporaries, visit The Phillips Collection in Washington D.C. or explore the extensive collection on AllPaintingsStore.com.

    Source: TopImpressionists.com — accessed Oct. 3, 2026

    Hamerocallis — Claude Monet Part 3 · About this artwork

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Claude Monet

    Born in Paris, France

    A Life Shaped by Light and Water

    The story of Oscar-Claude Monet begins in the streets of Paris, though his heart was often found wandering the salt-misted air of Le Havre. As a young boy, he moved to Normandy, where his father initially hoped he would follow a path in commerce. Yet, the boy possessed a restless eye for detail, finding early success by selling charcoal caricatures to local acquaintances. It was during these formative years that a chance encounter with Eugène Boudin changed everything. Boudin did not merely offer lessons in oil paint; he introduced the young man to the practice of painting en plein air, teaching him to set his easel directly within the unpredictable elements of nature.

    This early training instilled a lifelong obsession with the fleeting moment. When the Franco-Prussian War forced him into the streets of London, Monet found himself absorbing the atmospheric effects seen in the works of J.M.W. Turner. He returned to France with a new understanding of how mist and light could dissolve solid forms. In Paris, he sought formal instruction under Charles Gleyre, where he formed deep bonds with fellow painters like Auguste Renoir. These friendships were forged in a shared desire to break away from the rigid, dark constraints of the academic Salon, seeking instead a way to record the world as it was actually perceived by the eye.

    The Rebellion of Impression

    The year 1874 marked a turning point for this group of rebels. Dissatisfied with conservative standards, they organized their own independent exhibitions. It was during one such showing that his painting, Impression, Sunrise, gave a name to a movement that many initially viewed with derision. The term "Impressionism" emerged from the very criticism meant to mock his loose brushstrokes and unfinished appearance. Monet did not recoil from this label; he embraced it, using it to define a style centered on the subjective sensation of a scene.

    His technique became a study in optical truth. He applied unmixed colors side-by-side, a method known as broken color, allowing the viewer's eye to blend the hues. He rejected traditional dark grounds, opting instead for light-colored primers that added a new brightness to his canvases. His work often focused on the following elements:

    The use of rapid, visible brushstrokes to capture movement.

    The study of how sunlight alters the appearance of a single subject over time.

    The rejection of linear perspective in favor of asymmetrical, flattened arrangements influenced by Japanese prints.

    Giverny and the Final Vision

    In 1883, Monet settled in Giverny, creating a sanctuary that would become his most profound subject. He transformed his property into an elaborate garden, complete with a water lily pond and a Japanese bridge. This was no mere landscape; it was a living laboratory where he could observe the interplay of light on water and foliage under controlled conditions. The gardens at Giverny provided him with a steady stream of inspiration for decades.

    The later years of his life were defined by the monumental Water Lilies series. These vast canvases, often painted while he struggled with cataracts, moved toward a near-abstract state where the horizon line vanished entirely. He painted the same pond repeatedly, documenting the way shadows danced across the surface at dusk or how morning mist clung to the lilies. Through these works, he achieved a sense of immersion, inviting anyone who looked upon them to lose themselves in a world of pure, shifting color. He left behind a legacy that fundamentally altered the trajectory of modern art, proving that the most transient moment could be captured through the power of paint.

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for Hamerocallis

    topimpressionists.com/en/art/download/claude-monet-hamerocallis-8EWE52-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Monet, Claude. Hamerocallis. 1917, https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/claude-monet-hamerocallis-8EWE52-en/
    APA
    Monet, Claude (1917). Hamerocallis [Painting]. https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/claude-monet-hamerocallis-8EWE52-en/
    Chicago
    Claude Monet. Hamerocallis. 1917. https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/claude-monet-hamerocallis-8EWE52-en/
    Harvard
    Monet, Claude (1917) Hamerocallis. Available at: https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/claude-monet-hamerocallis-8EWE52-en/

    Source: TopImpressionists.com — accessed Oct. 3, 2026

    Hamerocallis — Claude Monet Part 4 · Artist and museum

    Look closely

    Hamerocallis — Claude Monet

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. Our catalogue files this work under: flower, landscape, color. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
    4. Look back at Water Lilies (or Nympheas), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    5. Impressionism: Painters working fast and outdoors to catch how light actually looked at one moment, rather than finishing smoothly in a studio. Where can you see that in this work?

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.

    Source: TopImpressionists.com — accessed Oct. 3, 2026

    Hamerocallis — Claude Monet Part 5 · Look closely

    Questions & Answers

    What art movement does "Hamerocallis" by Claude Monet belong to?

    "Hamerocallis" is a work of Impressionism. The movement indicates the artistic tradition the work is part of.

    Where does "Hamerocallis" sit within Claude Monet's body of work?

    Within Claude Monet's output, "Hamerocallis" sits in the Impressionism style, alongside the themes of capturing fleeting light & color, inspired by boudin’s plein air technique, celebrates natural beauty & tranquility, iconic impressionist floral composition, a cornerstone of impressionism's aesthetic ideals, representing giverny's serene landscape atmosphere.

    At what age did Claude Monet make "Hamerocallis"?

    Claude Monet was 77 years old when creating "Hamerocallis" in 1917. The age is computed from the artist's birth year, 1840.