Claude Monet: the driving force behind impressionism
Jun 28, 2021
It’s rare to come across a person who doesn’t like Claude Monet’s paintings. An undisputed master of impressionism, he set the new rules of artistic practice and revolutionised it forever…
He really was the driving force behind impressionism and one of my very favourites.
July's MONTHLY ARTIST FOCUS is this wonderful artist.
Oscar-Claude Monet (1840 - 1926) was a French painter and founder of impressionist painting.
Impressionism was a style of painting which depicted the visual impression of the moment, capturing light, colour, feelings and experiences, rather than trying to capture an accurate ‘photographic’ depiction.
Born in Paris, the son of a grocer, Monet grew up in Le Havre. and became interested in the outdoors and drawing from an early age.
An important early influence was the artist Boudin, who he met in 1858, who introduced him to plein air (outdoor) painting. It was a revolutionary technique as it broke the rules of academic painting. Traditionally it was thought that only initial sketches should be taken outside, while portraits and landscapes should be completed in studios.
In 1858 he went to Paris to study art at the Academie Suisse. It was at this time her met Pisarro.
In 1961 He was called for Millitary service and served in Algeria who later said that the light and vivid colours of North Africa “contained the germ of my future researches”. Unfortunately none of his work from this time survived.
Upon his return from Africa, 1862 he entered the studio of Charles Gleyre, a history painter, whose style he found very restrictive. It was here he met Renoir, Bazille and Sisley. They often painted alongside each other, sharing the desire to paint new standards of beauty in conventional subjects. His work was considered radical ‘discouraged at all official levels’ and often rejected by the Salon.
Around 1867 Monet started to lose his sight. In this stressful time he also had an illegitimate child born to his mistress, Camille, (who later became his wife) and consequently his father disowned him and stopped supporting him financially.
Like many French painters and sculptors, Monet moved to London during the Franco-Prussian war (1870-1), in his case he fled France to avoid conscription. In those days there were no passports or visas or border controls: France and Britain were allies.
In London he was impressed by the work of JMW Turner and his treatment of light. Monet repeatedly painted the Thames, Hyde Park and Green park. His work however was refused entry into the Royal Academy Exhibition and he was suspected by the police of revolutionary activities.
Monet, with his wife and son, lodged in Bath Place, part of the west end of Kensington High Street. Monet painted a series of London landscapes, subdued and much less sparkly than his later versions as he was only just starting to explore the style.
When Monet returned to France, he started exhibiting his work with a group of his associates calling themselves the Anonymous Society of Painters, Sculptors and Engravers. The term “impressionism” and “The Impressionists” was adopted in 1874 where the title of one of his paintings led to the naming of the movement.
Impression, Sunrise (Impression, soleil levant), 1872, Musée Marmottan Monet, Paris
Monet was described at the “driving force behind impressionism”. He was fascinated by the effect of light on the colour and visibility of objects and the juxtaposition of colours. "I like to paint as a bird sings.” In his series of paintings of the steam of trains in St-Lazare in 1877 he explored the effect of steam on it’s surroundings, depicting the scenes as sometimes opaque and sometimes translucent.
After a period of travel followed in the 1880s, and in 1883 he acquired a property at Giverny, north-west of Paris.
Monet then concentrated on the production of the famous series showing a single subject in different lighting conditions, including poplars, haystacks, Rouen Cathedral, and his own garden at Giverny.
He started working on Larger canvasses was due to his eye sight deteriorating. Sometimes working on as many as 8 canvases at a time, switching between them as the light conditions changed. His series of Rouen Cathedral, does not focus on a the architectural intricacies of a great medieval building but the play of light and shade on it’s surface.
He did return to London several times between 1899 and 1901. He painted a series of impressionist paintings of the Palace of Westminster and various bridges. He worked from his room in the Savoy Hotel or from a Terrace at St. Thomas’ hospital overlooking the Thames. They are painted at different times of day and in various weather conditions.
By this time, Monet had controversially abandoned plein air painting, and continued to refine his images at home in Giverny, occasionally sending for photographs to help. Monet's reply was that his means of creating a work was his own business and it was up to the viewer to judge the final result.
An excellent article on the excile of French artists to London, can be found here:
But have you ever fancied tackling a painting in the style of Monet? I have just the class for you, even if you are quite new into art.
Claude Monet Sunsets in Oil Pastel
When: Thursday 22nd July from 10am to 12pm (Taught on Zoom)
You can learn to create a spectacular sunset in the style of Monet.
For this workshop we will be using a combination of oil pastel and chalk pastel to recreate his beautiful sunsets.
You will need: Paper (slightly textured sugar paper off white is good), pencil, rubber, oil pastels and/or chalk pastels (I will be using both) plus a cloth or tissue, cotton buds for smudging.
This is a live workshop but the video will be available for 2 weeks afterwards so you can take part in your own time if you can't make the live class.
**THIS WORKSHOP IS INCLUDED IN OUR AMAZING Create! art hub MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP PACKAGE**
This workshop on it's own is £19 but for the same price you can become an Emerald Create Art Hub member and get this workshop and so much more!
To join and to find out what else you have access to as part of your membership please visit createartschool.co.uk/art-hub... you won't look back!
“The Emerald membership is such good value, so much content! I’m enjoying learning so many different techniques.” Elaine P
“I’m really enjoying the art hub. I loved doing the Albrecht Durer Hare! You’re doing an amazing job Helen. I’ve had many art teachers but none as good as you. I feel you really care about your students. Thank you.” Sheila
This is going to an wonderfully relaxing workshop, I just know you will blown away with what you can create.
Want to join my FREE Pen and Watercolour course?
