His earlier paintings were successful at Paris Salons, but Women in the Garden was rejected in 1867 on the grounds of subject and narrative weakness.

"[1] The painting was purchased by fellow artist Frédéric Bazille to help support Monet at a time when he had no money.

[2] Although the Musée d'Orsay, the painting's owner, comments that "Monet has skilfully rendered the white of the dresses, anchoring them firmly in the structure of the composition", Christoph Heinrich, author of a Monet biography, notes how posterity has found the painting lacking.

In this view, the figures appear poorly integrated into the scene, with the woman at right "gliding across the ground as if she had a trolley concealed beneath her dress".

[3] The painting's treatment of light and shadow is lauded, however, and in this respect the work may have shown Monet where his artistic path lay.