The Japanese Bridge

Claude Monet

c. 1923–25

Oil on canvas

Minneapolis Institute of Art

An impressionistic painting depicts a Japanese bridge arching over water, surrounded by lush foliage and reflections. The scene is rendered with vibrant, textured brushstrokes. An impressionistic painting depicts a Japanese bridge arching over water, surrounded by lush foliage and reflections. The scene is rendered with vibrant, textured brushstrokes. In 1883, Claude Monet moved to Giverny, about forty miles northwest of Paris. For the rest of his life, he devoted himself to painting and tending his gardens, which included the Japanese footbridge in this picture. His style became more expressive as he piled thick pigments layer upon layer in ever more intense colors that often didn’t correspond to reality (possibly because his eyesight was failing). Giving up any desire to record minute details, he wove ta