LITERARY PAPERS 
360 
fence back of the road, the trunks of the trees, the lights and 
shadows, the rising ground, the outline of the roofs against 
the sky, and the clouds, all follow the direction of the hypo¬ 
tenuse. The visual focus is, as usual, dissymmetrical, and in 
the diagonal. It is to the left of the centre of the scene. The 
strong sunlight pouring down upon the side of the farm-house, 
and the intense shadows of the trees upon it, all indicate energy, 
the very power of the cosmic forces themselves. The reddish- 
orange color of the roof contrasted with the sky gives to the 
latter a greenish tinge, which adds to the color harmony of 
the whole. The two sides of the picture differ as to intensity 
of coloring and distinctness of form, and in these respects 
further illustrate the dissymmetrical principles which underlie. 
Monet’s Nos. 270, “Poppies in Bloom,” and 212, “Land¬ 
scape at Giverny,” are companion pictures, inasmuch as one 
is the continuation of the other, and an expression of philo¬ 
sophical thought. The prevailing color-tones of the two pic¬ 
tures are brilliant reds and peculiar bluish-greens. Attention 
was called above to this color rule, as being used in what are 
most properly the highest philosophical studies of this artist. 
As art expressions of scientific and philosophical thought, 
these two pictures occupy the most prominent place of any 
in the collection. 
No. 270 is the best illustration of the theory of triangula¬ 
tion to be found in Monet’s pictures. From the foreground 
and running diagonally from left to right is the poppy-field, 
and the ground rising above it forms a green, grassy amphi¬ 
theatre, closing out from sight all objects beyond the fore¬ 
ground, thus inviting to progress. The narrow expanse of sky 
is seen above the hilly bank. Its depth is interminable, and 
a sense of solemnity steals over the observer. He is brought 
most terribly near the source and origin of things. The sky 
is in marked contrast to the poppy-field and hill, where it is 
the present that offers. Here is the beginning of life’s course. 
Unconscious of what is back of the hill, the soul is absorbed 
by the immediate; though she may step forward, through the 
gay-flowered field, onward to her future, the past is locked 
in mystery. Nature throws no obstacle to her progress; there 
