Claude Monet

Claude Monet, born in Paris on November 14, 1840, grew up in Le Havre, France. His early forays into art were caricatures, but a pivotal encounter with landscape artist Eugène Boudin introduced him to outdoor painting, a practice that would define his career. Monet's early work aligned with the Realist movement, but his unique focus on light and color set him apart.

In 1859, Monet went to Paris to pursue art, experiencing firsthand the traditional approaches taught at the Académie Suisse. However, his style evolved, favoring open-air painting and luminous scenes. The 1860s were challenging for Monet, marked by financial struggles and the tragic death of his first wife, Camille, in 1879.

The pivotal year of 1874 saw the first Impressionist exhibition, where Monet's "Impression, Sunrise" coined the term 'Impressionism', initially a derogatory label used by critics. This movement, characterized by loose brushwork and a vibrant palette, sought to capture the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere.

Monet's life was a constant pursuit of artistic innovation. He traveled widely, from the rugged coastlines of Normandy to the sunlit Mediterranean. In each location, he captured the unique essence of the landscape. His series paintings, like those of the Rouen Cathedral and water lilies, are testimonies to his obsession with light and its changing qualities.

In his later years, Monet settled in Giverny, where his famous water lily pond became both his subject and his obsession. Despite failing eyesight, he created some of his most renowned and largest-scale works during this period.

Monet's legacy is immense. He didn't just paint landscapes; he revolutionized how we perceive the natural world through art. He died on December 5, 1926, in Giverny, leaving behind a legacy that forever changed the face of modern art.