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"My only desire is an intimate infusion
with nature, and the only fate I wish is to have worked and lived in
harmony with her laws" - Claude Monet
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Artist Claude Monet lived in a house near the village of Giverny
outside of Paris. The gardens, ponds and landscapes were an
inspiration for many of his paintings. The famous Japanese bridge is
covered with cascades of wisteria blooms in early spring. For a virtual
visit of the gardens, click
here.
We also visited the nearby American
Museum constructed by an American, Mr. Terra who purchased paintings
by artists trained or influence by Monet's style.
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J-1 - "Meet back at the bus by
2:00 p.m."
Photo by Ralph Heiden |
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J-2 - The famous Japanese bridge
represented in Monet's paintings. Mary, Kathy
and Jan on the bridge.
Photo by Ralph Heiden |
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J-3 - The white wisteria was in bloom
and the violet vines were beginning to fade. Mary, Kathy
and Jan on the bridge.
Photo by Ralph Heiden |
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J-4 - White wisteria blooms hanging down
from the top of the bridge.
Photo by Ralph Heiden |
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J-5 - Purple wisteria blooms beginning
to fade frame the expanse of the pond from the bridge.
Photo by Ralph Heiden |
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J-6 - A large reflecting pond stretches
away from the bridge.
Photo by Ralph Heiden |
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J-8
Photo by Ralph Heiden |
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J-9 - Laburnum trees in bloom.
Photo by Ralph Heiden |
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J-10
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J-11
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J-12
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| Even Monet had to struggle with
algae in his pond. Today, they use a motorized cutter bar
on a boat (J-10) to cut the strands lose. Then, a person
in a boat (J-11) rakes the free floating plants to the
side of the boat and harvests them. The material (J-12) is
sent off to the compost bins to be recycled. |
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