Xiangqing LinCMOA Essay AssignmentHAA 00106 March 2014The Waterloo Bridge by Claude MonetThe Waterloo Bridge by Claude Monet transmits its central focus of light. Similar to his other masterpiece – “Impression of a Setting Sun”, the use of warm and cool colors in contrast to each other and distinct highlights and shadows communicates this focus. The lighting in this painting is what directs you to the focal points of this canvas. Light could also focus on shedding light on a situation from this historical period. Beneath the physical elements of the painting is an important theme of light in relation to the industrial success of the time. The perspective focusing angle of the light in this painting is the direction in which the bridge and background are facing. The light in this painting comes from the upper right corner of the canvas and Waterloo Bridge is shown at this exact angle that the light hits the entire side of the bridge, as you can see from the yellows used to depict the bridge. The light also hits the cityscape in the background from this same angle. The darkest parts of the painting are on the left side of the painting, as would be the case if a light source was hitting the scene. What makes this particularly interesting is that nothing other than blue water and blue sky is depicted in this part of the painting. It is the unknown of this painting, in the darkness. The light in the painting spreads from right to left and the oil colors mix and change with this. Using oil paints to create this image allows Monet to use a mixture of purples, blues and greens with yellows and pinks. The mixture of these colors creates the contrast between the light portions and the dark portion......middle of paper......n on society. The difference in near and far vision could also be related to the problem of things seemingly clear but blurry when looked at closer. This could be Monet's way of saying that, from a distance, this new way of life seems to be working perfectly. On closer inspection, mixing it with other issues causes the person to reconsider whether it is a good or bad thing. The impressionistic technique of this painting by placing wet paint on wet paint creates this race of colors that evokes thoughts of incompleteness. and the blurring of lines literally and figuratively. Monet's Waterloo Bridge evokes deeper thoughts about the blurring of images and encounters of characters that make thoughts beneath the surface rise and give meaningful and important meaning to this astonishing work of art..