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Student Artwork Guide

Irises

Claude Monet, 1914

Name Class Date
Claude Monet, Irises (1914). 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
1914
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.
Period
Contemporary
Artistic style
Serene landscape
Influences
Giverny garden, Japanese art
Notable elements
Blue tones, purple flowers
Subject or theme
Nature, irises garden

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 Sept. 29, 2026

Irises — Claude Monet Part 1 · The artwork

In context

Irises — 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 74. The artist lived to 86. 1399 of the 1565 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.

Shaded: the lifetime of Claude Monet (1840–1926) ▲ this work, 1914 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-irises-8XXHLK-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Prussian Blue #1f2743

    Catalogued palette

    • #1F2743
    • #A49D96
    • #5B6479
    • #394461

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

    Main colour name
    Prussian Blue
    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
    Deep_shadow 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) 3.7%
    2. 2 Water Lilies, 1906 2.4%
    3. 3 The Walk. Lady with a Parasol, 1875 2.2%
    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 1.0%
    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 Camille Monet On Her Deathbed, 1879 0.6%
    13. 13 Madame Monet in Japanese Costume (La Japonaise), 1876 0.6%
    14. 14 Monet's Garden at Vetheuil, 1881 0.6%
    15. 15 Poplars at Giverny, 1887 0.6%
    16. 16 Irises in Monet's Garden, 1900 0.6%
    17. 17 Boulevard of Capucines, 1874 0.4%
    18. 18 Rouen Cathedral, Symphony in Grey and Rose, 1894 0.4%
    19. 19 Sunrise, The Sea, 1873 0.4%
    20. 280 Irises, 1914 this painting 0.1%

    Together these works take 22.6% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 2202 works by this artist, of which 1797 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 280 of them, with 0.1% 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 Sept. 29, 2026

    Irises — Claude Monet Part 2 · In context

    About this artwork

    Irises — Claude Monet

    A Symphony in Blue: Exploring Claude Monet’s ‘Irises’

    Claude Monet's 'Irises,' painted in 1914, isn’t merely a depiction of flowers; it’s an immersion into a world of light, color, and the quiet contemplation of nature. This exquisite work, created during a period of profound personal reflection for the artist, stands as a testament to Monet's lifelong fascination with capturing fleeting moments and translating them onto canvas. More than just a botanical study, ‘Irises’ embodies the core tenets of Impressionism – an emphasis on subjective perception, the ephemeral quality of light, and the celebration of the natural world.

    The painting immediately draws the eye to its dominant palette: a serene wash of blues and purples that evoke both tranquility and depth. Monet masterfully employs broken color—a technique central to his Impressionist style—allowing individual strokes of pigment to blend optically in the viewer’s eye, creating an atmospheric effect far richer than simply layering colors. The irises themselves, rendered with loose, expressive brushstrokes, are scattered across the canvas, their velvety petals seemingly caught mid-bloom. The subtle variations in hue and tone – from the deepest indigo to delicate lavender – suggest a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, capturing not just the appearance but also the very essence of these flowers.

    Giverny’s Garden: Inspiration and Obsession

    To fully appreciate ‘Irises,’ it's crucial to understand Monet’s deep connection with his garden at Giverny. For over two decades, this meticulously designed landscape served as his primary source of inspiration, a living laboratory for experimentation in color and light. The water lily pond, the Japanese bridge, and, of course, the abundant irises – all became recurring subjects in his work. Monet’s garden wasn't simply a decorative space; it was an active participant in his artistic process, constantly evolving and offering new perspectives. He meticulously documented its changes throughout the seasons, recognizing that each moment held unique beauty.

    The painting’s composition subtly echoes Monet’s own arrangement of elements within his garden. The placement of the irises, the interplay of light and shadow, and even the suggestion of a distant horizon all reflect his careful observation and artistic sensibility. It's believed that Monet painted this work directly from nature, as he often did, capturing the immediacy of the scene with remarkable precision.

    A Window into the Soul

    'Irises’ is more than just a beautiful landscape; it’s a poignant reflection of Monet’s personal life during a challenging period. Painted in 1914, shortly after the death of his beloved wife Camille, the painting carries an undercurrent of melancholy and introspection. The serene beauty of the flowers offers a momentary respite from grief, suggesting a yearning for peace and connection with nature. The loose brushwork and atmospheric effects contribute to this sense of emotional depth, inviting the viewer to contemplate the fragility of life and the enduring power of art.

    Interestingly, Monet’s fascination with irises extended beyond this single painting. He created numerous other works featuring these flowers – ‘Water-Lily Pond with Irises,’ ‘Yellow Irises,’ and others – each offering a slightly different perspective on their beauty and symbolism. These paintings collectively demonstrate his unwavering dedication to capturing the essence of nature, not just its outward appearance but also its inner spirit.

    Collecting a Masterpiece: A High-Quality Reproduction

    wahooart offers meticulously hand-painted reproductions of Claude Monet’s ‘Irises,’ allowing you to bring this iconic artwork into your home or office. Our skilled artists replicate Monet's signature techniques, including his use of broken color and loose brushstrokes, with exceptional accuracy. Each reproduction is created on high-quality canvas using archival pigments, ensuring that it will retain its vibrant colors and beauty for generations to come. Whether you’re an art collector, a design enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of nature, a wahooart ‘Irises’ reproduction is a stunning addition to any space.

    Explore our selection today and experience the timeless allure of Monet's masterpiece!

    Source: TopImpressionists.com — accessed Sept. 29, 2026

    Irises — 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 Irises

    topimpressionists.com/en/art/download/claude-monet-irises-8XXHLK-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Monet, Claude. Irises. 1914, https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/claude-monet-irises-8XXHLK-en/
    APA
    Monet, Claude (1914). Irises [Painting]. https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/claude-monet-irises-8XXHLK-en/
    Chicago
    Claude Monet. Irises. 1914. https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/claude-monet-irises-8XXHLK-en/
    Harvard
    Monet, Claude (1914) Irises. Available at: https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/claude-monet-irises-8XXHLK-en/

    Source: TopImpressionists.com — accessed Sept. 29, 2026

    Irises — Claude Monet Part 4 · Artist and museum

    Look closely

    Irises — 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: irises, monet, garden. 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 Sept. 29, 2026

    Irises — Claude Monet Part 5 · Look closely

    Questions & Answers

    What orientation does "Irises" by Claude Monet have?

    "Irises" by Claude Monet has a portrait format. The format describes the proportions of the composition.

    When and with what materials was "Irises" made?

    "Irises" was made in 1914, in acrylic on canvas.

    What is the recommended print size for "Irises" by Claude Monet?

    "Irises" is recommended at a large print size. Other sizes are available with the same proportions.