Promenade near Argenteuil, 1873 by Claude Monet

During this period Argenteuil was experiencing a period of enormous growth as Parisians sought to move to the suburbs. Monet documented the town at different times of the day and under different weather conditions. Any aspects of the modernization process that he depicted, he transformed into something of beauty and harmony. He continued to paint pictures of light and beauty, ignoring the political and social violations of the time. Both Emile Zola and Theophile Gautier expressed surprise that paintings in the Salon of 1872 (which did not include Monet's) made no references to the atrocities that had occurred in Paris and the surrounding areas during the bloodbath of 1871.

During 1872 and 1873 Monet enjoyed an upturn in his finances. He was able to provide a comfortable home and living for his family in Argenteuil and paintings such as Camille in the garden with Jeon, and his Nursemaid (1873) reflect this. Promenade near Argenteuil is a typical painting of this period for Monet. The contented family group, probably based on his own, is enjoying a sunny day in the beautiful countryside.