Impressionism

Paris 1840 - Giverny 1926

Claude Oscar Monet was born on November 14th in Paris. Soon after his family left for Le Havre, where Monet spent his youth. The acquaintance with Eugène Boudin leads to a serious pursuit of his education as a painter from 1858 on. He is taught by Boudin and Jongkind to always work outside, not in the studio. Still, the next year he is leaving for Paris to start an academic education. He joins the Akademie Suisse and gets to know his later fellow painters from the impressionist group, especially 'en plein air' in the Fontainebleau wood. Their constant struggle is to be allowed to exhibit their works in the official Salon de Paris - the conservative jury mostly declines their paintings. Because of the lack of acceptance Monet has to live with his family in dire poverty. In 1879 his wife and mother of his two children dies. Meanwhile Monet has developed from a low-key painting to his own impressionist style. 1879 stirbt seine erste Frau Camille, mit der er zwei Kinder hat. He formulated his aim and gave with the famous painting 'Impression: soleil levant' a name to one of the most important avant-garde movements. Some art lovers, especially the art dealer Durand-Ruel supported him financially. Slowly a market for his paintings emerged. In 1883 he is able to find a new home in Giverny, west of Paris and in 1880 he is able to buy the house. He had a place to return to after his frequent travels and his garden was his constant inspiration. In 1891 Monet created the first of his famous series, the 'meules' (haystacks) were followed by paintings of poplars und the river Seine, the cathedral of Rouen, the river Themes in London and many more. His exhibitions turned into a great success. In 1892 he married Alice Hoschedé, who brought her own children as well. The water lilies on the especially made for pond and the picturesque wooden bridge in Japanese style were Monet's favourite motif. In 1911 Alice dies. In 1916 (being 76 years of age), he starts his biggest project: the creation of the famous wall decoration (now in Paris) depicting water lilies. In the 1920 his eyesight declined and he had surgery but still he did everything to be able to continue painting. Shortly prior to his death on December 5, 1926, he finishes his water lilies paintings. Monet is today the most wellknown impressiont painter. His late work is often considered to be the precursor for the abstracion in the 20th century. ...

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