Appropriate crossword clue new york times

A challenge!

Here's a crossword clue that's suitable for the New York Times:

Across

• "French artist famous for water lilies" (5 letters)

Answer

• MONET

This clue is a good fit for the New York Times because it's:

1. Challenging but not impossible: The clue is specific enough to require some knowledge of art history, but not so obscure that it's impossible to figure out.
2. Well-written: The clue is concise, clear, and uses a clever play on words (the reference to "water lilies" is a nod to Monet's famous paintings).
3. Relevant to a broad audience: Monet is a well-known artist, and his work is widely appreciated. This clue is likely to be accessible to a wide range of solvers.

Of course, the New York Times crossword is known for its clever and challenging clues, so this one might not be particularly easy or straightforward. But it's a good example of a well-crafted clue that's suitable for the Times.