Claude Monet: Early Life and Impressionism

Early Life and Influences

• Born Claude Oscar Monet in 1840 in Paris
• Initially trained as a commercial artist in Paris
• Early artistic interests were in caricatures and illustrations
• Exposure to the realism art movement and artists like Courbet further shaped his artistic vision

Impressionism Period (1860s-1870s)

• Monet's work was greatly influenced by the development of Impressionism
• This involved capturing fleeting moments and impressions of light and color
• Rejection from the Salon, the dominant art exhibition, led to Monet and other impressionists organizing their own exhibitions
• Influential figures like Renoir, Degas, and Pissarro were important associates and fellow impressionists
• Monet's primary focus shifted toward landscapes and outdoor scenes
• The development of a unique style emphasized the use of visible brushstrokes and pure color to create imagery
• He painted en plein air, directly capturing the effects of light and atmosphere
• Painting "Impression, soleil levant" (Impression, Sunrise) famously gave the movement its name

Series Paintings

• Monet dedicated significant time creating series of paintings focusing on specific subjects
• These paintings explored the changing appearance of light and atmosphere over different times of day and seasons
• Examples include the "Haystacks," the "Poplars," "Rouen Cathedral," and the "Water Lilies" series
• These series emphasized his dedication to capturing nuanced and varied perceptions of a subject

Water Lilies Series (1897-1926)

• This was among his most extensive and visually rich series
• Monet's most significant effort and perhaps his most ambitious artistic commitment
• The series comprised hundreds of paintings, depicting different aspects of his garden and pond at Giverny
• His studio in Giverny provided a dedicated space for producing this extensive body of work
• Significant time was devoted to capturing the changing effects of light on water lilies and the surrounding reflections
• This series is considered to represent a major evolution in his painting style and technique
• The massive size of the works reflects Monet's desire to fully explore his subject matter

Later Years and Legacy

• Despite health issues, Monet continued to paint throughout his life
• The extensive series and the final water lilies artworks developed in his garden at Giverny reflect a profound devotion to refining his painting
• He died in 1926 at his Giverny estate, leaving behind a substantial and significant artistic legacy
• Monet's influence on 20th-century art (and beyond) is profound and far-reaching, significantly impacting artists and their approaches

Explore the early life and artistic influences of Claude Monet, the founder of Impressionism. This quiz covers his early training, influences from realism, and his development of a unique style that emphasized light and color in landscapes. Test your knowledge of this pivotal figure in art history and the movement that transformed the art world.