Sigh

Left: Claude Monet (French, 1840–1926). Garden at Sainte-Adresse, 1867. Oil on canvas; 38 5/8 x 51 1/8 in. (98.1 x 129.9 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Purchase, special contributions and funds given or bequeathed by friends of the Museum, 1967 (67.241). Right: Claude Monet (French, 1840–1926). La Grenouillère, 1869. Oil on canvas; 29 3/8 x 39 1/4 in. (74.6 x 99.7 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, H. O. Havemeyer Collection, Bequest of Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, 1929 (29.100.112)

«It's been a long day. You've been knocked around a couple of times. You sit down, and your eyes slowly begin to close. It's time to breathe a sigh of relief, take a break, and transport yourself to a different, more peaceful place. Two works by the Impressionist painter Claude Monet (1840–1926) allow you to do just that.»

Claude Monet transformed French painting and constructed his own personal, unique, interesting style, which he clearly shows in the landscapes Garden at Sainte-Adresse (1867) and La Grenouillѐre (1869). Both of these beautiful artworks cause you to take a moment and sigh, "Oh boy, I wish I were there." The way both paintings show the details using visible brushstrokes and vibrant colors puts you in a relaxed mood. Monet painted most of his landscapes during the spring and summer, when the weather is perfect for going out and getting inspired by even the little things. In Garden at Sainte-Adresse, you can see the movement of the wind by looking at the flags, the clouds, and the smoke from the boats. The flowers easily let you know that it's springtime. In La Grenouillѐre, Monet was really trying to have the viewer focus on the reflections in the water rather than on the people. The way he painted the different shades of blue—and added strokes of white to show the light hitting the water—makes us curious and awestruck.

So yes, the best way to transport yourself to a different environment is to look at Monet's artworks, take a step back, and simply sigh.