Grade 5 Student Artwork – Monet’s Bridge

Claude Monet was a key figure of the impressionist movement. In 1883, he moved to Giverny, where he remained for the rest of his life. His garden was his main source of inspiration. It was also the inspiration for this painting. Grade 5 students have a good understanding of Monet. Several students painted the entire background together and then each student made a small painting of water and a few water lilies. Seven students made paintings of some main figures associated with Impressionism.

Let’s look at the figures on the bridge. On the left is small, old Claude Monet. With cigarette in hand, he looks back with a contented expression. Next, Degas’s ballerina kicks her leg up high, capturing movement, frozen in time. Beside her, Renoir’s ‘girl with a watering can’ looks out at us with her pretty dress. In the middle are the happy, young couple: Claude and Camille Monet. The last two figures on the right are inspired by Auguste Renoir. They seem to be in the middle of a conversation.

This painting is a testament to the age of Impressionism. The background and water lilies were painted with acrylic paints. The figures on the bridge were painted in watercolor, colored pencils or acrylic paint.