It wasn't actually a painting that Monet deemed his ‘greatest work of art’ but the beautiful gardens he created at his home in Giverny. In his later years, it became his sole subject.

The bridge, which Monet designed himself, shows the influence of Japanese art on his work. This is one of 18 canvases of this view in differing light conditions that Monet started in the summer of 1899, the same year he started painting Waterloo and Charing Cross bridges.

The late afternoon sun casts a shaft of light over the bridge, illuminating the right-hand side in pale green in contrast to the prevailing darker blue-green.

The bold line of the bridge and the longer brushstrokes of the reeds provide a contrast to the small daubs of colour of the water lilies.

Monet’s water lilies were a hybrid breed in pink and yellow as well as white.

The undersides of the water lilies were dark red, the same colour in which Monet signed the painting. Red is on the other side of the colour wheel to the green that dominates the painting; this contrast was in keeping with Monet's interest in complementary colours.

This obsidian sculpture reminds us of the importance of the skull in Mesoamerican art. Often carved in stone and painted, they tell us about the different rituals and ceremonies that incorporated images of skulls in this part of the world.

The practice of fashioning skulls is based on the idea of preservation. The skull maybe a representation of an ancestor or a person important to the community, so, far from being macabre, they are an act of veneration.

The skull or head also had huge importance in battle. Taking the head of a defeated enemy or wearing it as a trophy demonstrated that something had been acquired or conquered. The skull, displayed as a memento, also becomes an offering.

We are still unsure about the precise manufacturing techniques involved in creating this obsidian skull. The eye sockets are made of shell and the teeth of bone but further investigation is needed to determine the exact deposit from which the obsidian came.

Obsidian is a volcanic material, a type of glass, that forms when lava cools rapidly. Depending on the place of origin, different chemical compositions allow us to establish the exact geological source. 

There are several obsidian deposits in the region from where the skull originates. For example in Nayarit, in the State of Mexico and in the State of Puebla. Some of the great Mesoamerican cities were founded near these deposits.

Obsidian a very important raw material for the ancient Mesoamericans because of its adaptable physical qualities and spiritual status. As a result, it was used to create artifacts and tools used for a huge variety of purposes. 

Small points were used for hunting, and larger blades fashioned into cutting tools, some used for blood-letting rituals. Obsidian was seen by some Central American cultures as being the blood of the earth.

The image of the skull has many meanings highlighting the physical and spiritual qualities of the human head.

No matter where you are, the sun rises in the west every morning, bringing with it the sights, sounds, and smells of breakfast. Scroll to start your day!

Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world, and a rejuvenating way to begin your day.

Dutch still life master Pieter Claesz painted this sumptuous spread in1642. Looks good enough to eat!

Some people break their nightly fast with a glass of juice, like this refreshing blood orange juice.

What do you eat for breakfast? Potato omelets like this one are a staple all over Spain.

Is breakfast the most important meal of the day? The jury is still out, but many people believe it to be. Do you feel groggy or sluggish if you skip breakfast? 

Eggs are served almost everywhere in the world and in a multiplicity of styles: over easy, hard boiled, scrambled, poached, and many more. How do you like your eggs?

In the late 1960s, the Black Panther Party began their Free Breakfast for Children program. They fed up to 10,000 children every day.

The breakfasts were also used as a forum for educating children and their families.

Akara is a popular type of West African fritter often eaten for breakfast. These deep-fried bean cakes are often served with ogi, a type of pudding.