The Garden Parasol (work of art)
Artwork Info
Key Ideas
- The seated woman in this painting is the artist’s wife. The setting is their home in Giverny, France.
- The Japanese parasol (umbrella) is an example of Japonisme. This French term refers to the popularity of Japanese art and design among Western artists in the 19th century.
- Frederick Carl Frieseke was an American artist who spent most of his life in France. He painted in the American impressionist style inspired by the earlier French impressionist painters.
- Frieseke’s paintings focused on women and their private lives. Most other impressionist artists painted landscapes.
Learn More
Frederick Carl Frieseke and his wife spent many summers at their home in Giverny, France. Frieseke was originally from Michigan, but he lived most of his life in France. He and his wife lived among a group of American impressionist painters in Giverny. French impressionist painter Claude Monet was one of their neighbors.
The woman sitting under the sunlit umbrella in this painting is the artist’s wife, Sadie. She is portrayed as a refined and cultured woman, taking tea and reading in her garden. Frieseke’s paintings often focused on the female form and women’s private lives. This was a different approach from other impressionist painters. They painted mostly landscapes. Frieseke was especially interested in capturing the sunlight in his painted scenes.
The Japanese parasol is a symbol of increasing globalization during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Japan had been forced to open trade with Western countries. Many Western artists became interested in Japanese decorative arts. This trend is known as Japonisme.
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Additional Resources
Resources for Teachers
- Read an article about the Giverny art colony.
- Read a blog post about Asian influence on western decorative arts in the 19th century.
- Read an article about Frederick Carl Frieseke.
Resources for Students
- Watch a video about impressionism.
- View additional paintings by Frieseke.
- Watch a video about the making of Japanese parasols, an example of European interest in Japanese decorative arts.
Images
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The Garden Parasol
The Garden Parasol by Frederick Friseke. The painting has two women in a garden outside with a large orange parasol.