Artwork
Stacks of Wheat (End of Summer)
Stacks of Wheat (End of Summer) is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Claude Monet. It dates from 1890 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
About this work
Overview
Claude Monet's 'Stacks of Wheat (End of Summer)' is an oil on canvas painting depicting large wheat stacks near his Giverny farmhouse. It is part of a series exploring the effects of light and weather on the same subject.
Subject & Meaning
The wheat stacks, rising above the horizon, symbolized sustenance and survival for Monet. Their depiction varied with the changing seasons, weather, and light, capturing the dynamic relationship between the natural world and human activity.
Technique & Style
Monet worked on the series both outdoors, using multiple easels to capture different conditions, and in his studio, refining the compositions. The thick, visible brushstrokes and vivid colors convey the immediacy of his outdoor observations.
History & Provenance
The series was first exhibited in 1891 at the Galerie Durand-Ruel in Paris, where it achieved critical and financial success, marking a significant breakthrough in Monet's career. The Art Institute of Chicago holds the largest collection of 'Stacks of Wheat' paintings worldwide.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Oscar-Claude Monet was born in Paris on November 14, 1840, and raised from the age of five in Le Havre, where he began selling charcoal caricatures as a teenager.
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