Claude Monet

Profession: Impressionist Painter

Nationality:

Biography: Claude Monet was a French painter who is often credited as one of the founders of Impressionism, a revolutionary art movement that sought to capture the transient effects of light and color in the natural world. His innovative approach to painting, characterized by his loose brushwork and emphasis on light and atmosphere, profoundly influenced the direction of modern art.

Monet's interest in capturing the changing effects of light and weather is perhaps most famously demonstrated in his series of paintings such as "Haystacks" and "Water Lilies." These series depict the same scene at different times of day or seasons, showcasing the transformative power of natural light. His "Impression, Sunrise" (1872) was particularly influential; its unconventional style and the critical reaction to it led to the naming of the Impressionist movement.

Monet's later work was marked by a focus on his garden at Giverny, where he created a beautiful landscape filled with colorful flowers and a water lily pond. He painted this setting obsessively, resulting in a large series of works that capture the garden's beauty in varying light and weather conditions.

Monet was also a central figure in the artistic community. His home at Giverny became a hub for younger artists, and he was friends with many prominent artists of the time, including Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Édouard Manet, and Camille Pissarro.

Born: November 14, 1840
Birthplace: Paris, France
Star Sign: Scorpio

Died: December 5, 1926 (aged 86)
Cause of Death: Lung cancer