CLAUDE MONEt

Claude Monet was born on Paris, France on Nov. 14, 1840. He was considered to be the "founder of Impressionism." Living a long life, Monet died of lung cancer on Dec. 5, 1926 at the age of 86.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Monet acquired fame through rejecting traditional art values and founding French Impressionist art.
• Along with Renoir, Manet, and Pissarro, Monet formed the Society of Anonymous Painters, Sculptors, and Printers.
• His painting "Sunrise" was the reason the term "Impressionism" was coined by art critic L. Leroy.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS CONTINUED

• Even with cataracts and lung cancer, Claude Monet spent the last ten years of his life working on "Water Lilies," which was a series of paintings. He later donated this work of art to France in honor of the end of World War I.

IMPRESSIONIST ART

• Aimed to capture a moment in time.
• Paintings and portraits were popular.
• Impressionism included art which depicted nature, everyday life and the busy city, quiet countryside, and of course, the outdoors.
• This period took notice in light /color, resulting in quick painting and brush strokes to capture the light outdoors before it was gone. This lead to unblended color and optical allusions in paintings.

One of Monet's first works, "Sunrise" depicted the early sunrise and its reflection on the water. This painting was the spark that gave birth to the Impressionist period. With its unblended colors, shadows, and lack of clarity, this painting gives the "impression" that the sun is rising, making it part of the Impressionist Era.

"Water Lilies" is a painting that depicts the pond outside Monet's home in Giverny. Monet painted this "en plain air" in different lighting conditions (morning, sunset, and clouds) using quick brush strokes, which links this piece of art with Impressionism.

"Woman with a Parasol" was one of Monet's most famous works that depicted a woman in a field using a parasol for shade. Camille, the woman in the painting, later became Monet's wife. Unblended color, lack of detail in Camille's face, as well as Camille's clothing (bustle with tight waist) associates this painting with Impressionism.

WORKS CITED:
-claudemonetgallery.org

-Impressionism.org

-ducksters.com/history/art/Impressionism.phr