| Articles by: Artist |
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Claude Monet (14 Nov. 1840 - 5 Dec. 1926)
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"It's on the strength of observation
and reflection that one finds a way. So we must dig and delve unceasingly."-Claude Monet
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The 'Father of Impressionism', Claude Monet was a French painter, leader, and a staunch advocate of the Impressionist style.
Considered as the archetypical Impressionist painter, he was unwavering of his belief in the ideals of the movement.
It's only fitting that one of Claude Monet pictures - 'Impression: Sunrise' (1872) gave birth to the term Impressionism.
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Claude Monet was born in Paris, but his earliest impressions as a child were formed in Le Havre,
where his family moved to in 1845.
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Young Monet was very good at painting caricatures and would often exhibit them at an art supplies store
where Eugene Boudin worked. Upon Boudin's persuasion, Monet began painting the outdoors and later, became a world-renowned landscape painter.
After serving in the army, Monet attended the Académie Suisse and came to know Pissarro and Cezanne. In 1862, he joined Gleyre's academy and
made the acquaintance of Bazille, Renoir, and Sisley as well. The painting of 'La Grenouillere' (1869) along with Renoir proved to a turning
point in Monet's career as an artist.
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This also marked the beginning of the new artistic movement, later on known as 'Impressionism'. Monet married Camille Doncieux, his model in 1870.
She featured in many of Monet oil paintings such as 'The Walkers', 'Women in the Garden',
'The Walk,' and 'La Japonaise' among others. |
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About The Painting - The Lights of Liberty
During the short civil war of 1870-71, Monet moved to London and met the celebrated art dealer - Paul Durand-Ruel
who worked hard to popularize the cause of Impressionist works. During the period from 1874- 1882, Monet participated in many group exhibitions. It was during
these years that he worked on masterpieces such as 'La Gare Saint-Lazare' and 'Rue Saint-Denis'. Claude Monet was intensely poor, as his paintings did not find any buyers.
In an attempt to live a cheaper life, he moved from place to place, finally settling at Giverny in 1883 until his death.
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However, late 1880s saw renewed interest in Claude Monet pictures.
Soon, he not only became famous, but also wealthy. Now, paintings by Claude Monet became bolder, and freer. He began painting landscapes. The use of light and perspective in Claude Monet pictures such as
the series: 'The Rocks of Belle-Ile' (1886), 'Cliffs at Belle-Ile' (1886), 'Poplars on the Bank of the River Epte' (1890), 'Poplars on the Banks of the Epte' (1891) show his mastery in being able to seize
the effects of light at different times of the day. He began painting a series of view, with the same subject, but in different colors and with different lighting.
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Around 1890, Monet started to work on the series of haystacks oils. Monet oil paintings of the haystacks in bright summer, gray winters, and snow have been highly praised by all.
He also painted a series 18 frontal views of the cathedral at Rouen under different light conditions!
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Soon after, Monet painted his most celebrated pieces of art, water lilies. Claude Monet paintings of the water lilies began in 1899 until 1917.
This series includes 'The White Water Lilies' (1899), 'The Japanese Bridge' (1899), 'Water-Lilies' (1914), 'Water-Lilies' (c.1917), 'Water-Lilies' (1917), which also became the main theme of his later work.
Claude Monet suffered from failing eyesight towards the end of his life. He died in 1927, though he continued to paint until the very end. Every artist for his profilic range and quality of work will always remember
Claude Monet's name with reverence.
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"I can only draw what I see". |
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