ETHICALLY CONCERNING: I feel that these masks with the paintings on them are ethically concerning pieces of merchandise. I find it cheesy and insensitive to use Monet’s artworks to create a product that stems from something as serious and negative as a face mask in today’s day and age. The world is still recovering from a global pandemic, and using Monet’s artwork as a way to sell a product that has not only made such an impact on global health but has also caused so much political unrest seems extremely wrong and stems from all of the wrong motivations. I don’t believe that Monet would have wanted his paintings used in this way.
ETHICALLY CREATED: This is a coloring book designed to look like some of Monet’s artworks. I think that this is an ethical form of merchandise because it honors the integrity of the pieces that Monet created without being exploitative. It also is a fun way for people to interact with the artworks and to become more familiar with all of the details and colors within the paintings. I bought the book and tried it for myself, and just to color a painting that was already made took so much time and effort and it really made me appreciate the effort and attention to detail that went into the original while also giving me something fun to do.
