Low Tide and the painting was sold to print publisher and dealer, Alfred Cadart, for 300 francs. This was the first time Monet had sold a serious work in Paris, and it had gone to good company. (Gordon, 41) Monet's reputation was now one of a serious artist and set him on his way towards public recognition. His name continued to grow throughout the 1870's as he developed his unique painting style and proceeded to sell his paintings, forming his own group of collectors. (Gordon, 41)When Monet moved to Giverny in 1883, the town was similar to most of the farming communities that lay along the Seine between Paris and Rouen. It had a modest church, communal school, town hall, a few taverns and family owned shops. Quiet and picturesque, it had no claim to historical significance and counted no more than 279 residents. The pink stucco house that Monet rented was one of the largest structures in the town and sat on a sizable portion of land. The rue De l'Amiscourt, which wound into the village, bordered the back of the house. Stretching out in front of the house were nearly two and a half acres that the former occupants had converted into a kitchen garden with rows of vegetables interspersed with fruit trees and berry bushes. (Tucker, 175)When the property came up for sale in November 1890, Monet quickly met the asking price of 22,000 francs. He then set up plans for dramatic changes to the property, tearing down the kitchen garden and fruit trees, in order to create lavish flower gardens surrounding the house and extending throughout the property. Monet spent a great deal of money and time on this project, subscribing to horticultural magazines, consulting encyclopedias, ordering seeds from around the world, and consulting friends. He also extended his property in order to construct a large water lily pond, surrounding it with mysterious, foreign, Eastern plants and trees. Through these efforts, not only did Monet create a site...
