The Four Trees, 1891
Claude Monet (French)

In summer and fall 1891 Monet painted a series of views of poplars along the banks of the Epte River, at Giverny.
Completion of the series was temporarily threatened when the village of Limetz, on the opposite site of the Epte from Giverny, decided to sell the trees at auction.
But Monet made a financial arrangement with a local lumber merchant, who bought the trees and let them stand until Monet finished his work.