Claude Monet

             

Claude Monet was also known as Claude Oscar Monet or Oscar-Claude Monet. He was a Founder of the French Impressionist painting and the most consistent and prolific practitioner of the movement's philosophy of expressing one's perceptions before nature, especially as applied to open-air landscape painting.

Claude Monet was born on 14 November, 1840 in Paris. He grew up in Le Havre, on the coast of France. He was the second son of Claude-Adolphe and Louise-Justine Aubrée Monet.

Monets’ first art was in the form of a caricature. In 1858, he switched to landscapes by his early mentor and teacher Eugene Boudin who encouraged him to paint outdoors.

Monet moved to Paris to study at the Atelier Suisse in 1859 and while there, formed a friendship with Camille Pissarro and Gustave Courbet.

In 1863, Monet discovers Manets paintings, who was considered the father of impressionism and paints "en plein air" in the Fontainebleau forest, with his friend Bazille.

In 1864, Monet stays in Honfleur with Boudin, Bazille, Jondkind. It is out here that he met his first art lover : Gaudibert.

Monets’ paintings were submitted for the first time to the official Salon in 1865. Camille Doncieux his lady friend and Bazille pose for Le Dejeuner sur l'herbe (the Picnic).

In 1867, Monets’ first son Jean Monet was born while he was in Sainte-Adresse.

In 1868, Monet tried to commit suicide. It is in the same year that he painted Fecamp and Etretat.

In 1869, Monet settled in the village of Saint-Michel near Bougival where he painted in the company of Renoir.

Claude Monet married Camille in 1870. Courbet was his witness. They had to take refuge in London during the Franco-Prussian War. While in London Monet meets Durand-Ruel with Pissaro and Daubigny.

In 1871, Claude Monets’ father died. Monet settled in Argenteuil after visiting the Netherlands.

In 1873, Monet met Caillebotte.

In 1874, Monet exhibits "Impression : sunrise" at the first Impressionist exhibition in the studio of Nadar.

In 1876, Monet met Ernest and Alice Hoschedé.

In 1877, Monet painted the Saint-Lazare train station.

In 1878, Monets’ second son Michel Monet was born. Monet and his family settled at Vétheuil in compagny of the Hoschedé family.

In 1879, Camille passed away.

In 1881, After the death of Camille the family of Claude Monet moved to Poissy.

In 1883, Monet rented a house at Giverny.

In 1887, Monet exhibited in New-York thanks to Durand-Ruel.

In 1889, Monet exhibited with Rodin.

In 1890, Monet purchased the house in Giverny and begans the digging for the nympheas basin.

In 1891, Ernest Hoschedé died. In this year Monet painted the series of Meules (Haystacks) and of Peupliers (Poplars).

In1892, Monet painted the Rouen Cathedrals series. The same year he married Alice in July.

In 1894, Mary Cassatt and of Cézanne visited at Giverny. Rodin, Clémenceau and Geffroy were also present.

In 1900, Monet painted several views of the Japanese bridge. He took several trips to London and painted views of the Thames.

In 1904, Monet traveled to Madrid and admired the paintings of Velasquez.

In 1907, Monet started to develop his first problems with his eyesight. Monet also discovered Venice.

In 1911, Alice passed away.

In 1914, Monets’ eldest son Jean passed away.After Jeans’ death Blanche moved to live near Claude Monet.

In 1916, Monet decide to build a large studio of  23 m x 12m at Giverny.

Between 1916 – 1926, Claude Monet worked on twelve large canvas, The Water Lilies.

In 1923, Monet was nearly blind and underwent an operation for the cataract in one eye. His sight improved therafter.

Til February 1926, Monet was stil painting while he suffered from lung cancer.

On 05, December Claude Monet passed away. He was buried in a simple ceremony at Giverny. His friend Georges Clémenceau attended the ceremony.