Claude Monet is one of the famous and popular artists in the history of world art. This painter is the founder and prominent representative new direction of the beginning of the 20th century - impressionism. Today everyone educated person and a lover of painting, Monet's paintings are close and understandable, with the names of which and their brief description we have to get to know each other.
Born in Paris in 1840, Claude Monet moved to Normandy 5 years later. From childhood, the young man showed a craving for drawing, but chose the genre of caricature.
At the age of 17, Monet met Eugene Boudin, who taught him the art landscape sketches. Before meeting him, drawing from nature, seascapes Claude Monet did not consider them worthy and even treated them with contempt. 1859 - the year of return young artist home in Paris. There he continued to paint in the studio of poor artists.
The turning point in the fate and work of Monet is considered to be admission to the Faculty of Arts at the University of Paris. There he met O. Renoir, A. Sisley and F. Basil - talented young artists, with whom he was destined to change the history of world painting.
How did the movement "impressionism" appear?
Claude Monet is gradually trying to change traditional way drawing from life, using either new lighting solutions, or changing the viewing angle and position of the artist when painting. Preferring plein air to studio work, he seeks beauty in the world around him, trying to capture the moment and his perception of what he saw.
One of the main differences of the emerging Impressionism is new job with shadow and color. Monet chose the coloristic content of the paintings that he sees and feels at a certain point in time. By painting the shadows light instead of black as his predecessors, he filled inner light their canvases.
Constant poverty and need in the 70s and 80s, the beginning of the Franco-Prussian War forced him to move to England. Here Monet meets the merchant Paul Durand-Ruel, who buys his paintings. This made it possible, upon returning to his homeland, to purchase a small house in Argenteuil.
1874 is considered to be the official starting point of the "Impressionism" direction, when light hand one of the critics dubbed the picture "impression, impression" - impressionnisme. In 1883, Claude Monet moved with his family to Giverny, where he could already afford to buy a house with land and a garden with the accumulated money. In the same small village, in 1926, he was destined to end his earthly journey.
Monet had vision problems from a young age, and in 1912 he even had the lens of one eye removed. It is believed that this disease contributed to the artist's natural talent to see and reflect unusual colors and shades in nature.
Monet's popularity today cannot be overestimated: to this day he is one of the three most dear artists peace.
- One of the most famous and early works Claude Monet - the painting "Women in the Garden", created in 1866. To write it, he dug a trench in order to better choose the angle, set the easel correctly and stand up himself. The plot of the picture is simple: four young ladies are walking along summer garden picking flowers and having nice conversations. One of them - a young model Camille Donsier - later became Monet's wife.
- 1866 was also the time of writing the painting "Lady with an umbrella, turned to the left." The subject of the image was a young girl, stepdaughter Monet Suzanne. The artist looks at the model from the bottom up, capturing, in addition to the girl's figure, grass and flowers close-up and a big chunk of the sky. One of the main characters of the picture is the wind, which controls the movement of objects, creating a sense of energy and movement of the plot.
- The painting "Water Lilies" in 1905, after its purchase by an unknown art lover, was hidden from prying eyes for more than 70 years. It depicts a pond, lilies in it and clouds reflected in the surface of the water. It is believed that the artist copied this story from a reservoir in Giverny. This canvas was destined to become the most expensive at the London auction: it was estimated at 54 million dollars.
- "Mannport" (1883) is now in New York, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The subject of this picture is the rocks of Normandy. Monet often traveled to this country, creating more than 60 paintings about its powerful and harsh nature.
- The painting Lady with an Umbrella (1886) depicts Monet's wife Camille Donsier. The canvas belongs to early period creativity: the lines are blurry and inaccurate, the main emphasis is on the colors and feelings of the artist himself.
- The famous canvas that gave the name to the whole direction of “impressionism” is “Impression. Sunrise" rarely leaves anyone indifferent. Port of Le Havre, early morning, boats on the surface of the water, barely visible in the morning mist, gloomy and dark colors with a bright sun contrasting against their background - the picture was created to turn the idea of \u200b\u200bthe technique and purpose of painting. However, the first viewers reacted coolly to innovation, not appreciating it. hidden power and perspectives.
- Interesting, from the point of view of creating a plot, is the painting "Breakfast on the Grass" of 1866. The very style of the canvas is not characteristic of Monet's impressionistic style of writing. This is a picture of a transition, a search for oneself. The ideological inspiration was Edouard Manet (do not confuse these various works art), who had created a painting of the same name a few years earlier. It caused a strong reaction and scandal because of the realistically depicted naked women on it. Claude Monet was delighted with this picture. He decided to repeat the success of this canvas and shock the public. On this moment what we see in the picture is one of three parts of a huge canvas, which remained unfinished, although it was exhibited at the Paris Salon.
- The Water Lilies of 1916 are a continuation of the theme of water and water lines in the work of Monet and part of a series of water landscapes. She's interesting compositional solution: the plot seems to be snatched from a huge, endless picture. The artist trimmed large central flowers to show the infinity of natural space. With bright colors and unusual composition seemingly ordinary pond captivates the viewer.
- “Terrace at Sainte-Adresse” is one of the artist’s early creations, created in 1867. The painting depicts a summer terrace with men sitting in armchairs and a girl standing at the railing with her companion. Strict lines, lack of blur and compositional solution are not characteristic of the impressionist style.
- “Field of poppies at Argenteuil”, 1873. The heroes of the picture are the son and wife of the artist. They make their way through tall grass and bright red poppies. In the background, two more figures are visible, as well as a small White House far away.
Art critics have come to the conclusion that last years of his life, the artist goes beyond impressionism, anticipating further changes in painting and outlining perspectives. Having entered the history of world art and having gained many supporters and followers, Monet's paintings, with the names and a brief description of which we have become acquainted, remain not only in the memory of the audience, but also in their hearts, causing real and some longing for the outgoing and momentary beauty of this world.
Oscar Claude Monet (fr. Oscar-Claude Monet; November 14, 1840 (18401114), Paris - December 5, 1926, Giverny) - french painter, one of the founders of Impressionism.
Oscar Claude Monet was born on November 14, 1840 in Paris. When the boy was five years old, the family moved to Normandy, to Le Havre. The father wanted Claude to become a grocer and continue the family business. Monet's youth, as he himself later noted, was essentially the youth of a vagabond. He spent more time in the water and on the rocks than in class. School to him, by nature undisciplined, always seemed like a prison. He amused himself by painting the blue covers of notebooks and using them for portraits of his teachers, made in a very irreverent, caricature manner, and in this game he soon reached perfection. At fifteen, Monet was known throughout Le Havre as a caricaturist. He had so established his reputation that he was besieged from all sides with requests to make caricature portraits. The abundance of such orders and the lack of generosity of his parents inspired him with a bold decision that shocked his family: Monet took twenty francs for his portraits.
Having gained some fame in this way, Monet soon became an "important person" in the city. In the window of the only shop for art supplies, his cartoons proudly showed off, displayed five or six in a row, and when he saw the onlookers crowding in admiration in front of them, he "was ready to burst with pride." Often in the window of the same shop, Monet saw placed above his own works seascapes, which he, like most of his fellow citizens, considered "disgusting". The author of the landscapes, which inspired him with "extreme disgust", was Eugene Boudin, and, not yet knowing this man, he hated him. He refused to get acquainted with him through the owner of the shop, but one day, going into it, he did not notice that Boudin was in the back half. The owner of the shop took the opportunity to introduce Monet to him as young man, which has such great talent to the caricature.
“Boudin immediately approached me,” Monet recalled, “praised me in his soft voice and said: I always look at your drawings with pleasure; it's fun, easy, smart. You are talented - you can see it at first sight, but I hope you don't stop there. All this is very good for a start, but soon you will get tired of the caricature. Study, learn to see, write and draw, make landscapes. The sea and sky, animals, people and trees are so beautiful exactly in the form in which nature created them, with all their qualities, in their true being, such as they are, surrounded by air and light.
But, Monet himself admitted, Boudin's appeals had no effect. Ultimately, Monet liked this man. He was convinced, sincere, but Monet could not digest his painting, and when Boudin invited him to work with him on outdoors, Monet always found a reason to politely refuse. Summer has come; Monet, tired of resisting, finally gave up, and Boudin willingly took up his training. “My eyes were finally opened,” Monet recalled, “I truly understood nature and at the same time learned to love it.”
Seventeen-year-old Oscar Monet could not find the best teacher because Boudin was neither a doctrinaire nor a theoretician. He had a receptive eye, a clear mind and was able to convey his observations and experiences in simple words. “Everything that is written directly on the spot,” he declared, for example, “is always distinguished by strength, expressiveness, liveliness of the brushstroke, which you will not achieve later in the workshop.” He also considered it necessary to "show extreme persistence in preserving the first impression, since it is the most correct", and at the same time insisted that "in the picture, not one part, but the whole should strike."
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Monet with his own eyes both in Russia and in other countries. However, his winter landscapes drew attention only recently. There are not so many of them: Monet preferred to draw bright colors summer - poppies, water, sailboats, blooming gardens.
4. Ice floes. Foggy morning. 1893
Claude Monet. Ice floes. Foggy morning. 1894 Art Museum Philadelphia, USA The temperature is above zero, so the ice has already opened up, and fog has appeared. White and blue colors are diluted with gray and brown.
This landscape of the Seine River is not the only one - Monet liked to paint in series, showing how the same place can be different depending on the time of day and weather.
Paintings by Claude Monet from the Ice Floats series. 1893 Private collections.
In one month from the end of January to the end of February 1893, Monet managed to create as many as 13 paintings of this landscape on the Seine!
5. Lavacourt. Snow and sun. 1881
Claude Monet. Lavacour, snow and sun. 1881 London National Gallery. The village of Lavacourt is located on the banks of the Seine, and opposite is the village of Vetheuil, in which Monet lived with his family and where his son was born, and his wife was also buried. It was from this shore that he depicted the landscapes of the village of Vetheuil in 150 of his paintings.
The dim winter sun in the painting "Lavakur" - we do not see it, but we feel it by the yellowish-greenish tint of snow in the distant background. It seems that Monet wanted to show the approach of spring. 
Photo of the village of Veteil (near Paris)
In these places, of course, they remember their famous inhabitant. So, on the shore of the village of Lavacourt, information boards are made in the form of easels with paintings by Monet.
6. Road to Giverny in winter. 1885
Claude Monet. Road to Giverny in winter. 1885 Private collection. The artist lived in Giverny for 43 years. In this town is his house-museum with the famous garden with water lilies and a Japanese bridge. Of course, he wrote Giverny countless times. Basically, these are flowering, summer works. However, the winter here is also very picturesque.
Oscar Claude Monet was born in Paris on November 14, 1840, but at the age of 5 he moved to Le Havre, where his father worked as a grocer and ship purveyor. Monet's talent first appeared in adolescence. It all started with caricatures of prominent residents of Le Havre. Prominent citizens liked their own playful portraits. The drawings were sold at the local art salon for 20 francs each.
Paintings were sold in the same salon local artist Eugene Boudin. He was a passionate plein air lover, which was unusual in those days. The young man also became interested in working under open sky. He began to paint in the open air, because it gave his works a sense of the moment, in addition, he was interested in natural light.
The number of orders increased, and soon Monet began to earn so much money that he had the idea to become a real landscape painter, one who had the skill and talent to capture iridescent, changeable views around.
However, serious difficulties had to be overcome first. The path to success in the art world lay through an exhibition of works in the famous Parisian salon - the most prestigious art exhibition in the world. Everything was controlled by the Academy of Painting and Culture, founded in 1795 by a group of Freemasons. To get there, one had to pass an exam, which was evaluated by the professors of the academy. These same people selected jobs for paris salon. Having achieved success in the salon, the artist, on the recommendation of academicians, received a prestigious state order. Having completed several serious orders, a person became a member of the academy and received the right to teach. So the outdated process was repeated. The Impressionists opposed this. There are many in Paris art studios, the purpose of which is to get rid of salon domination. In 1873 they opened their alternative exhibition.
"Impression. Sunrise" 1873
The painting depicts a foggy dawn in the harbour. Against the background of clouds in a dense haze is a bright orange sun, the boats do not have a clear outline.
The audience, however, failed to understand either the technique of performance or the chosen range of colors. The picture was regarded not as revolutionary, but as ridiculous. The audience wondered why the author exhibited an unfinished work. The critic Louis Leroy used the word "Impressionists" in a pejorative sense. So unintentionally, he gave the name to the whole direction. By the time of the eighth exhibition in 1886, the term had become generally accepted.
"Bridge at Argenteuil" 1874
The painting "The Bridge at Argenteuil" dates from 1974. It depicts one of the suburbs of Paris, where Monet lived for a short time. Life in the suburbs developed not only because of the high cost in the city, but also due to the culture of that time. People fled here from the tension and bustle of the city of Paris to unwind. This picture shows how fascinating it was. Monet painted in the open air, in the open air. This is the pinnacle of the development of impressionism. The artist does not seek to show a specific vessel. The color of the picture is very rich. The artist uses those colors that are difficult to see in academic landscapes, they are usually muted, mixed. Here the colors are light, bright and match in the foreground and background. This smoothing technique looked quite radical in the 1870s. Free, as if careless brush strokes reveal the similarity of the picture with the sketch and give it some kind of incompleteness.
Gare Saint-Lazare 1877
Monet lived in Argenteuil, one of the suburbs of Paris. This picture became a vivid reflection of everything new and modern, industry, but it was very radical for that time. Everyone is accustomed to images of water lilies and rural scenery in the work of Monet. The image of a coal-fired steam locomotive was bold. However, even before Monet settled in Argenteuil and painted landscapes, he sometimes depicted the details of modern life.
The composition of the painting is not too different from the landscapes in the traditional style. The image is extremely flat, focusing on the surface and on the paint. The locomotive enters the station through huge iron structures. Steam above him envelops the locomotive, this iron mask, and this is the whole Monet, his desire to concentrate on the play of light and color.
Monet, unlike academic artists, does not think about creating a certain angle, a line of perspective, over giving integrity to the subject. The objects do not have clear outlines, the models are almost abstract.
"Walk to the Cliff at Pourville" 1882
The action takes place on seaside resort in northwestern France. Two women are walking in nature. The artist gives a sense of spontaneity, which is felt in the brush strokes. Through the image of the cliff, he conveys the mood have a great day. The cliff is in deep shadow, which creates a sharp contrast. The picture seems spontaneous, but it was carefully thought out and planned. The painting consists of several layers of paint. Monet applies new layers of paint to the still wet previous ones.
The characters in the picture enjoy a refreshing walk on the cliffs. opens before them scenic landscape: cliffs, sea, sky with drifting clouds. This picture shows modern world through the eyes of a person who belonged to the middle layer, capturing a segment of free time.
Cycle "Rouen Cathedral" 1890s.
The building is located an hour north of Paris. Monet painted 30 paintings with his image. Between late winter and early spring for two years in 1892 and 1893, Monet rented a studio located directly opposite the cathedral and was able to reproduce various effects of light. He painted several paintings at once and in each he conveyed different moments depending on the time of day and lighting. The artist returned to the canvases he had begun in the new weather. On his return to Paris, he completed the paintings in his studio. They are massive, they have thick layers of paint, Monet painted them for a long time. He was always interested in capturing the moment, but in these works it becomes the main theme. The medieval cathedral had a religious historical meaning. Massiveness and strength are inherent in his image, but in Monet's version these are filigree forms, there is no feeling of heavy three-dimensionality.
Everyone who begins to get acquainted with the world of art sooner or later experiences cognitive dissonance about a phonetic incident in two French artists. To say that these masters are often confused is to say nothing, they simply cannot be distinguished, and many people think that this is generally one person. These people can be understood, because Monet and Manet lived at the same time, were born in the same city and were even friends.
Who to talk about first? The history of their fame is so saturated with phonetics, so you have to go alphabetically. The difference in their surnames is only one letter, the second in a row, the letter "A" is the first, so it's fair to start with Manet. As you get to know these artists, you will realize that they are very different and completely individual personalities. It is difficult to say whose contribution to painting was more significant, but now Claude Monet is a more popular and recognizable artist than his friend. It is worth noting that as soon as Monet arrived in Paris from Le Havre, he was looking for meetings and acquaintances with Manet, Renoir, Basil and other already eminent impressionists at that time.
Edouard Manet
1832 - 1883 (aged 51)
Edouard Manet, self-portrait.
Born into a decent family, his father held a high rank in the Ministry of Justice, and his mother was the daughter of a French diplomat and consul. After school, he wanted to become a sailor, but the exams were too difficult for him. Having failed the tests, he did not despair, and went on training voyages at the naval school. But even then he strongly doubted that he needed the sea, he was increasingly drawn to paints and canvas. Naturally, his parents were against it, but his father gave him a chance for Manet to practice drawing during his study trip. Upon arrival in Paris, Edward showed his father his work and, surprisingly, their relatives received them very warmly. Thus, he entered the school of fine arts, then there were workshops of various artists, in a word, he completed his studies exactly a decade later, at the age of twenty-seven.
Edouard Manet, "In the Boat"
Due to the fact that this material is not biographical, it is necessary to move on to his style of drawing. Edward is distinguished by the fact that he painted more realistic paintings, with correct contours and colors. He loved to portray people, and he was good at it, unlike his counterpart. Manet was a member of the Batignolles group, it included many artists of that time, mostly impressionist artists. Degas, Renoir, Monet, Pissarro - all of them were in this group, they respected and reckoned with the opinion of Edward. But real recognition came many years later, when the artist was already terminally ill. Being practically chained to a chair, he painted a picture "Bar at the Folies Bergère", after which his skill was officially recognized at the Salon of 1882. A year later, his leg was amputated, and a few days later he died in agony from pain.
"Bar at the Folies Bergère"
Claude Monet (Oscar-Claude Monet)
1840 - 1926 (aged 86)
Claude Monet, self-portrait.
Born in the family of a grocer, his father dreamed that Claude would continue his business and wanted to transfer his grocery store to him. A penny for the life of his family was not easy, and Monet notes his youth almost vagrant and very difficult. He was a very freedom-loving boy, loved nature and often ran away to the sea. If he appeared at school in the classroom, then he painted notebooks more, instead of taking notes. By the age of 15, he was already known throughout the district, everyone knew him as a young cartoonist and a witty guy. He received many orders, he had to make a strong-willed decision, he put up a very impressive price tag for his work, this gave him some scandalousness. But it is expected that he quickly got tired of the cartoons, and he began to draw what he really loves - nature in all its glory. Soon all of France recognized his work, he differed from artists in that his poor eyesight allowed him to paint pictures with completely unimaginable colors of paints. Very little time passed before the whole cultural Europe became interested in him. Monet took place as an artist in full measure precisely as a landscape painter, who, thanks to his defect and illness (cataract), discovered new genre painting. If he had one hundred percent vision, then he would never have created his masterpieces, the genre of which the journalists called "impressionism".
Claude Monet, Antibes, Afternoon Effect
Fame and recognition allowed him to move to the town of Giverny, where he created his legendary gardens that bloom all year round. He did it on purpose, the reason is immediately clear - so that there is something to draw and what to look at, regardless of the season. Now this place is an open-air museum and an iconic cultural site in France. Additionally, you can read about the gardens of Giverny in the material
