Claude Monet and Impressionism Overview

Claude Monet: Overview

• Claude Monet (1840-1926) was a key figure in the development of Impressionism.
• He painted primarily outdoors, capturing the effects of light and atmosphere on his subjects.
• Monet's work focused on the representation of visual experience, emphasizing fleeting moments and sensations.
• He is famous for the "Haystacks," "Water Lilies," and "Rouen Cathedral" series, each showcasing his dedicated explorations of light, color, and atmosphere.

Impressionism: Key Characteristics

• Impressionism emerged in France in the late 19th century, reacting against academic painting styles.
• Impressionist paintings often depict everyday scenes, like landscapes, portraits, and urban life.
• Artists used visible brushstrokes, vibrant colors, and a lack of precise detail to convey the immediate impression of a scene.
• Emphasis on capturing the fleeting impression of light and atmosphere over precise representation of form.

Monet's Major Series

• Haystacks: A series of paintings created throughout the late 1880s and early 1890s. Monet depicted the haystacks in different times of day and under various weather conditions, showcasing changes in light and color.
• Water Lilies: A massive body of work begun in the 1890s and continued until his death. These paintings focused on Japanese-inspired gardens, ponds, and water lilies, often in large canvases. Monet emphasized the effects of light on reflections, emphasizing the surface and atmosphere of the water.
• Rouen Cathedral: A series of 30 paintings created from 1892-1894 demonstrating the varying effects of light and atmosphere on the structure throughout the day and year. The visual differences in how the light changed the appearance of the cathedral was prominent in this series.

Monet's Artistic Techniques

• Visible Brushstrokes: Monet's brushstrokes are often visible, contributing to the painting's texture and conveying the sensation of a scene.
• Bold Colors: He used vibrant colors to capture the vibrancy of light, often without mixing colors on the palette.
• Outdoor Painting: Monet was a leading practitioner of plein air painting, working directly outdoors to translate the ephemeral quality of light and atmosphere.
• Emphasis on Light and Atmosphere: The shifting quality of light was central to his style and frequently manifested across his various series.

Monet's Influence

• Monet's style of painting had a profound influence on subsequent generations of artists, especially post-impressionists.
• His emphasis on capturing fleeting moments and subjective visual experiences paved the way for modern art movements.
• His legacy extends beyond the realm of painting, influencing landscape photographers and other visual artists through his use of light and color.

Monet's Life and Personal Context

• Born in 1840, Monet developed his passion for painting early in life but faced considerable struggles and societal challenges early in his career.
• His family moved to Le Havre, where he first experimented with painting, and later to Paris.
• Monet played a key role in the Impressionist movement in Paris, where he became familiar with other notable artists and exhibited with them.
• He experienced periods of both recognition and struggle throughout his life, finding significant fulfillment and success later in life.