Oscar-Claude Monet, known simply as Claude Monet, was born on November 14, 1840, in Paris, France. He was the second son of Claude Adolphe Monet, a grocer, and Louise Justine Aubrée Monet, a singer. When Monet was five years old, his family moved to Le Havre, a port city in Normandy, where he spent much of his childhood.

Early Life and Background

From an early age, Monet showed a keen interest in art. He was particularly fascinated by the sea and the changing skies, which would later become central themes in his work. Despite his father’s wishes for him to join the family business, Monet pursued his passion for drawing. His early sketches, mostly caricatures of local figures, gained him some recognition in Le Havre.

Artistic Training and Influences

Monet’s artistic journey began in earnest when he met Eugène Boudin, a landscape painter who introduced him to plein air (outdoor) painting. Boudin encouraged Monet to paint directly from nature, a practice that would define his career.

In 1859, Monet moved to Paris to study art. He enrolled at the Académie Suisse, where he met fellow artists Camille Pissarro and Gustave Courbet. However, Monet was disillusioned by the rigid academic style taught at the time and preferred the more spontaneous approach of painting outdoors.

His studies were interrupted in 1861 when he was drafted into the military. Monet served in Algeria for a year before contracting typhoid fever, which led to his early discharge. Upon returning to France, he resumed his artistic training under Charles Gleyre, where he befriended Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Alfred Sisley, and Frédéric Bazille. These artists would later form the core of the Impressionist movement.

Early Career and Struggles

Monet’s early career was marked by financial hardship. Despite his talent, his work was often rejected by the conservative Paris Salon, the official art exhibition of the Académie des Beaux-Arts. His painting “Women in the Garden” (1866) was rejected for its loose brushwork and unconventional composition.

In 1865, Monet met Camille Doncieux, who became his model, lover, and later his wife. She appeared in many of his early works, including “The Woman in the Green Dress” (1866), which finally earned him some recognition at the Salon. However, financial struggles persisted, and at one point, Monet even attempted suicide due to extreme poverty.

The Franco-Prussian War (1870-71) forced Monet to flee to London, where he studied the works of J.M.W. Turner and John Constable, whose use of light and color deeply influenced him. After the war, he returned to France and settled in Argenteuil, a picturesque suburb of Paris, where he painted some of his most famous works.

The Birth of Impressionism

In 1874, Monet and his fellow artists, tired of Salon rejections, organized their own independent exhibition. Among the works displayed was Monet’s “Impression, Sunrise” (1872), a hazy, atmospheric depiction of the Le Havre harbor. The title of this painting inadvertently gave the movement its name when critic Louis Leroy mockingly referred to the artists as “Impressionists.”

Despite initial ridicule, the Impressionist movement gained momentum. Monet’s style—characterized by visible brushstrokes, vibrant colors, and an emphasis on light and atmosphere—challenged traditional art conventions. Over the next decade, he participated in several Impressionist exhibitions, though sales remained inconsistent.

Mature Period and the Series Paintings

By the 1880s, Monet began experimenting with serial paintings, capturing the same subject under different lighting and weather conditions. His most famous series include:

• Haystacks (1890-91) – Depicting rural stacks at various times of day.
• Rouen Cathedral (1892-94) – Capturing the Gothic façade in shifting light.
• Water Lilies (1899-1926) – A lifelong obsession with his garden pond.

In 1883, Monet moved to Giverny, a small village northwest of Paris, where he designed a lush garden with a Japanese bridge and water lilies. This garden became his primary artistic inspiration for the rest of his life.

Later Years and Legacy

Monet’s later years were marked by both triumph and tragedy. His reputation grew, and he achieved financial stability as art dealers and collectors, including Paul Durand-Ruel, championed his work. However, he also suffered personal losses: his first wife, Camille, died in 1879, and his second wife, Alice Hoschedé, passed away in 1911. Additionally, he developed cataracts, which severely affected his vision.

Despite his failing eyesight, Monet continued to paint, producing some of his most abstract and expressive works, such as the monumental “Water Lilies” murals, now housed in the Musée de l’Orangerie in Paris.

Claude Monet died on December 5, 1926, at the age of 86, in Giverny. He was buried in the local church cemetery.

Monet’s Impact on Art

Monet’s revolutionary approach to painting laid the foundation for modern art. His emphasis on light, color, and perception influenced countless artists, from the Post-Impressionists to the Abstract Expressionists. Today, his works are among the most celebrated in the world, with masterpieces displayed in major museums, including:

• Musée d’Orsay (Paris)
• Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York)
• National Gallery (London)
• Art Institute of Chicago

His home and gardens in Giverny have been preserved as a museum, attracting thousands of visitors each year.

Conclusion

Claude Monet’s life was a testament to perseverance, innovation, and an unwavering dedication to capturing the fleeting beauty of nature. From his early struggles to his ultimate triumph as the leader of Impressionism, Monet’s legacy endures as one of the most influential figures in art history. His paintings continue to inspire, reminding us of the ever-changing, luminous world he sought to immortalize on canvas.

Claude Monet Virtual Gallery