Claude Monet

Claude Monet was born on November 14, 1840, in Paris, France. He was born as Oscar-Claude Monet, the second son of Claude Adolphe Monet and Louise Justine Aubrée Monet. Monet's early interest in art was inspired by his middle school art teacher and local artist Jacques-François Ochard. His childhood was spent in Le Havre, Normandy, where he developed a love for drawing and painting.

In 1858, Claude Monet met Eugène Boudin, a fellow artist, who became his mentor and introduced him to plein air painting, a core component of Impressionist painting. Boudin persuaded Monet to join him in painting outdoors, allowing Monet to capture natural light and atmosphere directly onto his canvases. This experience greatly influenced Monet’s later works.

Claude Monet painted 'Impression, Sunrise' in 1872. This painting depicted the port of Le Havre, Monet's hometown, and became emblematic of the Impressionist movement. The painting's title, along with the concept of depicting a fleeting moment and emphasizing the effect of light, gave rise to the term 'Impressionism.' Monet showcased this painting at the first Impressionist exhibition in 1874.

On April 15, 1874, Claude Monet and a group of artists organized the first exhibition of the Société Anonyme Coopérative des Artistes Peintres, Sculpteurs, Graveurs, known as the First Impressionist Exhibition. Held at the studio of the photographer Nadar, this exhibition included Monet’s painting 'Impression, Sunrise' and works by artists such as Edgar Degas and Camille Pissarro, marking a turning point in the history of art.

In May 1890, after years of renting, Claude Monet purchased the house and lands in Giverny, France. He transformed the estate into his artistic haven, developing the extensive gardens and water lily pond that would inspire his most famous series of paintings. The gardens of Giverny became a living canvas for Monet, whose fascination with light and reflection influenced his style profoundly.

In 1904, Claude Monet began his famous 'Water Lilies' series, inspired by the pond and gardens at his home in Giverny. Over the next two decades, he created approximately 250 paintings that captured the beauty and tranquility of his water garden, emphasizing the effects of light and color. These works are considered some of his greatest masterpieces and are displayed in museums worldwide.

In 1911, Claude Monet suffered a significant personal loss when his second wife, Alice Hoschedé, passed away. Her death deeply affected Monet, causing a period of depression that impacted his work. Despite this, he continued to paint, focusing on his series of water lilies and other explorations of his garden's natural beauty, trying to capture the fleeting qualities of light and reflection.

In 1923, as his eyesight deteriorated due to cataracts, Claude Monet underwent surgery to restore his vision. The cataracts had affected his perception of color, frustrating his creative process. The surgery allowed him to partially recover his sight and subsequently adjust his palette in later works, balancing his continued exploration of color and light in painting.

Claude Monet died on December 5, 1926, at the age of 86 in his home in Giverny, France. He was buried in the Giverny church cemetery. Monet's death marked the end of an era for the Impressionist movement, of which he was a leading figure. His legacy continued to influence generations of artists, and his works remain celebrated for their beauty and innovation in capturing light and atmosphere.

In June 1980, the Musée Marmottan in Paris inaugurated its expanded collection of works by Claude Monet, becoming a major repository of the artist's paintings, particularly his late works. The museum now houses the world's largest collection of Monet's work, offering visitors unparalleled insight into his artistic journey and showcasing masterpieces like 'Impression, Sunrise' and numerous pieces from his 'Water Lilies' series.