Introduction
Among various world-renowned impressionists, the name of Claude Monet takes first place as a founder of the French Impressionist painting movement. Monet began his career as a caricaturist in his native Le Havre (“Person: Claude Monet,” 2022). However, after meeting such prominent figures as Camille Pissarro and Eugène Boudin, his interest in light techniques and brushwork grew, affecting his future career as a naturalist. Today, millions of people know Monet’s style and intention to depict the same idea or subject from different angles, including the environment, daytime, and mood. In this discussion, attention will be paid to Claude Monet’s main biographical facts, meaningful projects, and overall impact on the progress of French painting.
Claude Monet’s Biography
Born on November 14th, 1840, in Paris, Monet, with his family, moved to Le Havre, where he got a secondary education. Although his father wanted to see his son in their family trade business, Monet was more interested in art, and he obtained the necessary support from his mother and his aunt. The family lived in poverty, and the young man was obsessed with the idea of earning, which was one of the reasons why Pissarro called Monet a commercialist in art (“Person: Claude Monet,” 2022).
Still, he continued his education in Paris and traveled with his friends to gather as much inspiration as possible. At the same time, he ended his one-year military service when he was sent to Algeria, but was discharged because of some health problems. His aunt bought the artist out and used typhoid as the reason. Monet married twice, and both of his wives died because of severe illnesses. He also buried his son Jean, and all those losses negatively affected his mental health, provoking depression and poor eyesight. Monet died of cancer at 86, and his family continued his legacy.
Monet’s Paintings
Regarding Claude Monet’s painting, most people remember his work Water Lilies, where he professionally introduced the pond environment, combining different light effects. However, many other projects deserve attention and recognition. For example, Still Life with Flowers and Fruit and Sunrise series (see Figure 1 and Figure 2) demonstrate his unique mastery of sharing atmospheric conditions.
It is wrong to believe that Monet chose one element and depicted it from different sides because the themes he used varied significantly. He succeeded in painting nature, fruits, and flowers, as well as the peculiarities of industrialization in France. His spontaneous brushstrokes provoked multiple attitudes among ordinary people, but no one ever rejected the idea that Monet did great work.
Monet’s Legacy
Today, many reasons exist to admire Monet as one of the brightest French impressionists. First, he was an initiator and never afraid to try something new, even if it was unusual for his compatriots. Second, his paintings allowed modern people to observe the quality of living and leisure activities in the 20th century. Finally, he showed how to follow his dreams and use family support. It was not always easy to do what people wanted to do several decades ago, and it is not always possible today. Monet’s life and works show how to become a successful painter.
Conclusion
In general, the chosen French artist was not only the founder of Impressionism. Monet was an ingenious creator with a strong will and desire to change his life and leave something memorable for this world. Although not all individuals can comprehend his ideas and accept the importance of repetitive images, his importance in modern art is undeniable. His legacy of more than 2000 paintings, beautiful gardens, and family relationships should be respected and remembered to understand the essence of French art.
Reference
Person: Claude Monet. (2022). Getty. Web.