Garden at Sainte-Adresse

A closer look

The picture is built in clear bands: the terrace with its red gladioli and nasturtiums, the deep blue sea, and the bright sky. Two flags snap in the wind on tall poles, framing the scene. Monet set down short, vivid brushstrokes of pure colour, especially in the flowers, that anticipate Impressionism. The high, flat viewpoint and the strict division into zones reflect his interest in Japanese prints, which he collected; he later called the painting his “Chinese picture with flags”.