Environmental Philosophy

Monet's creation and cultivation of Giverny reveal an environmental philosophy ahead of its time. His garden was not imposed on nature but developed in dialogue with it. He worked with local conditions, using plants suited to the climate and soil. He created habitats for wildlife—the pond supported fish, frogs, and waterfowl, while the flower gardens attracted countless insects and birds.

His rejection of formal French gardening in favor of a more naturalistic approach anticipated later ecological thinking about gardens. He understood that a garden is not a static artwork but a living system that changes daily and seasonally. This acceptance of change and growth as fundamental to beauty influenced not just garden design but broader attitudes toward nature and art.