Who painted Stack of Wheat (Thaw, Sunset)?

Stack of Wheat (Thaw, Sunset) was painted by Claude Monet in 1890.

Where can I see Stack of Wheat (Thaw, Sunset)?

Stack of Wheat (Thaw, Sunset) is held by Art Institute of Chicago.

What movement is Stack of Wheat (Thaw, Sunset)?

Stack of Wheat (Thaw, Sunset) is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Stack of Wheat (Thaw, Sunset)?

Museum-quality prints of Stack of Wheat (Thaw, Sunset) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Stack of Wheat (Thaw, Sunset)

Claude Monet , 1890

Stack of Wheat (Thaw, Sunset) 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.

Accession no.: 100191
Credit line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel C. Searle

About this work

Overview

Stack of Wheat (Thaw, Sunset) is an oil-on-canvas painting by Claude Monet, part of his Stacks of Wheat series. The work depicts a large wheat stack near the artist's Giverny farmhouse, captured during a sunset thaw.

Subject & Meaning

The wheat stack serves as a symbol of sustenance and survival in Monet's work. Its conical top piercing the horizon emphasizes the subject's prominence. The thaw setting may allude to the cyclical nature of seasons and life.

Technique & Style

Monet employed his characteristic Impressionist technique, using warm colors to convey the fleeting effects of a sunset. The painting's emphasis on light and color reflects Monet's interest in capturing the ephemeral qualities of natural phenomena.

History & Provenance

Created between 1890 and 1891, this painting was part of a groundbreaking exhibition at Galerie Durand-Ruel in Paris (May 1891), where fifteen Stacks of Wheat canvases were showcased together, achieving critical and financial success. The Art Institute of Chicago holds the largest collection of this series.

Context

The Stacks of Wheat series was the first of several thematic explorations by Monet, followed by series on poplars, Rouen Cathedral, and his Giverny garden. This approach marked a shift towards serial painting in his oeuvre.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Claude Monet

Oscar-Claude Monet was a French painter and founder of Impressionism who is seen as a key precursor to modernism, especially in his attempts to paint nature as he perceived it.