WALKING INTO A PAINTING

Sun Rising 1903

What does the word Giverny conjure up for you? I would think for everyone around the world who knows Monet and his water lilies will know that this is where he lived from 1890 to the end of his life in 1926. Where his famous pictures came to light and where some say modern art was born when Monet had a cataract problem and didn’t see colours or images very clearly. When I went to see the retrospective of Monet in 2010, all the rooms were crowded with the excetpion of the early 20th century period where his paintings were somewhat «blurred». I love that period.




For years too I have been thinking of going back to Giverny for a visit. The last time I was there was with a very close Australian friend some 20 years ago. Why I thought it was so difficult to get there is beyond me. It takes an overseas visitor to inform you that it’s less than an hour away in the train from Paris. That was a couple of months ago.  Pierrette and I went off on Tuesday. She had never been there and had wanted to visit - I was to visit a third of fourth time 20 odd years later. 

Although there were many visitors - especially the Japanese - it was not overly crowded and wandering around the gardens was a delightful moment. How they have changed! How they have grown and yet the famous pond with it’s ever famous Japanese bridge (painted and shining now) are still so familiar. The waterlilies were in flower - not as many as I would have liked to seen but looking down at the famous weeping willow is like walking into a Monet painting. 


Pierrette tree gazing

Towards the Japanese bridge

Getting closer

And there it is all painted today

A Monet painting

I suppose at that time every one wanted a garden of their own, big or small, full of flowers. I think what impressed me even more than Monet’s garden was 
the Hôtel Baudy. It’s rambling and doesn’t follow the rigid lessons of a horticulturist which I feel is the trend in the Monet’s gardens. Up and down. Roses, trees whereas the other garden has up and doan allies full of flowers but has a structure about it which for me lacks spontaneity. The Hotel Baudy doesn’t. The entire garden has retained this enchanting abandon 
where winding paths-guarded by all sorts of flowers and stone steps lead one to the summit of a hill. 

Hotel Baudy - up to the Atelier

In Bloom

An enchanting moment after an equally simple but delicious lunch sitting outside in the gardens. Has summer come in?