By: Alex
Is it a real landscape or an illusion within a dream? Just by looking at a picture or photo, it can sometimes be hard to tell. The French Impressionist painter Monet used the water lilies in his own garden pond as his subject, creating the world-renowned series of oil paintings titled "Water Lilies." On the other side of the globe, in Gifu Prefecture, Japan, there is a nameless pond at the Neodani Shrine that is planted with water lilies. Later, visitors said the pond reminded them of the scenery in Monet’s "Water Lilies" paintings, and soon it came to be known as “Monet’s Pond.”
In photographers’ works, Monet’s Pond in Gifu Prefecture boasts crystal-clear “glass-like water.” The pond water, sourced from mountain springs, also changes with the ambient light—sometimes appearing exceptionally transparent, and other times taking on an emerald green hue, creating a highly dreamy effect. Add to that the colorful and vibrant koi fish swimming leisurely in the pond, and it’s hard to believe this isn’t a painting.
The best time to visit Monet’s Pond is around June to July when the lotus flowers are in full bloom. Additionally, in autumn, some green leaves turn red, adding more color. However, after heavy rain, the pond water becomes murky and takes several days to clear up again, so it’s best to avoid visiting during those times.
Gifu? Monet’s pond’s fresh green was beautiful pic.twitter.com/P6AJHO4m3R
— Yu (@yu_photo_94) June 20, 2021
▲“The fresh greenery of Monet’s Pond in Gifu Prefecture is beautiful”
▲(photo by yu_photo_94 @Twitter)
▲(photo by yu_photo_94 @Twitter)
▲(photo by yu_photo_94 @Twitter)
▲(photo by yu_photo_94 @Twitter)
A pond of Monet dyed in fresh green hues of early summer pic.twitter.com/dTpnTTFf5G
— Machubar / Hiroki Matsubara (@mpmb7) June 8, 2021
▲“Monet’s Pond bathed in fresh greenery in early summer”
▲(photo by mpmb7 @Twitter)
▲(photo by mpmb7 @Twitter)
▲(photo by mpmb7 @Twitter)
by Monet's Pond
The day I met the golden carp,
It’s sure to be a wonderful day, right?pic.twitter.com/hBaPzxJYhj— Ayu (@auki999) July 10, 2021
▲“The day you meet a golden koi at Monet’s Pond will surely be a wonderful one!”
▲(photo by auki999 @Twitter)
▲(photo by auki999 @Twitter)
It was a beautiful Monet. pic.twitter.com/StKBfx4VtB
— peco (@pecotaku3) June 12, 2021
▲“Monet’s Pond was beautiful.”
▲(photo by pecotaku3 @Twitter)
Source: Fundo.jp