Paving the way for Impressionism and establishing a name for himself as a master in the subject, Monet completely changed the way people thought about painting in the late 19th century. Initially mocked and ridiculed, Impressionism is now one of the world’s most popular art movements, lauded for its meticulous treatment of light and landscapes. We look back at Monet’s ten most famous works of art!
The dawn of Impressionism
Claude Monet grew up in Le Havre. A passionate artist, he produced caricatures and eventually caught the attention of Eugène Boudin, one of the first painters to have focused on plein air painting. Together they were considered the pioneers of Impressionism. Their meeting provided Monet with vast inspiration for painting nature and landscapes.
Although Claude Monet’s body of work is extremely extensive, his best-known work is indisputably Impression, Sunrise. But did you know this painting was initially very poorly received? Art critic Louis Leroy deemed the artwork an “impression” to ridicule the style of painting. Just a few years later, however, the same critics had become the movement’s greatest supporters!
#1 Impression, Sunrise, 1872
Private and rustic settings
Nature became a very important theme in Monet’s oeuvre. He interpreted it in all its forms, depicting fields, gardens, and vast stretches of grass. Whether or not they featured people, these paintings reflected deeply peaceful moments, precious snapshots of families and friends, carefully constructed portraits in which he beautifully captured the present moment.
#2 The Poppy Field, 1873
#3 The Lunch, 1873
#4 Camille Monet and a Child in the Artist’s Garden in Argenteuil, 1875
The importance of light
Monet was particularly adept in his work on light. His primary goal was not to depict reality accurately but instead to play with what nature had to offer. Interpreting the light, capturing its effects on architecture, the sea and landscapes, was what made Monet so astonishing! He developed a number of series to illustrate the huge diversity of colors offered by light at different times of the day.
The artist was so enthralled by Rouen Cathedral that he produced 30 paintings of the monument’s west gate between 1892 and 1894. Each painting was produced at a different time of day and reveals incredible lighting. Monet repeated this process with the cliffs of Etretat, illustrating their beauty at different times of the year.
#5 Rouen Cathedral series (1892-1894)
#6 The Cliffs at Etretat series (1883-1886)
Giverny: Monet’s inner sanctum
Monet moved to Giverny in 1883. For 40 years, it became his point of reference and refuge. Now a museum, it is easy to see why the natural beauty of the landscapes and ponds were so dear to the painter. He produced 12 paintings on the waterlilies there alone! Monet also depicted the water garden and Japanese bridge in his paintings, bringing Giverny international renown.
#7 On the Boat, 1887
#8 Water Lilies and Japanese Bridge, 1899
#9 The Artist’s Garden at Giverny, 1900
#10 Water Lilies, 1904
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