Claude Monet led the French Impressionist movement and the name of the movement is actually attributed to him. He was an inspirational personality and talented individual who played a key role in bringing the movement’s adherents together.
Overview
Monet was interested in being able to capture natural light while painting in open air. He later brought this distinct technique to its height with his famous series paintings. In these paintings, his observations of similar subjects that were viewed at varying times of the day facilitated the capture of multiple sequences of paintings.
As a masterful colorist and painter of atmosphere and light, the work that he undertook later on accomplished an outstanding degree of abstraction that led to his influence on future generations of painters and productions of abstract paintings.
Early Work
The early work of Monet’s career is beholden to the interests of realists in depictions of modern subject matter without glorification along with painting outdoors to make it possible to capture the transitory qualities of nature.
Inspiration
With some inspiration from EdouardManet, the painter departed from clearly depicting linear perspective and clear forms, which were recommended by the artistic establishment of the time. He experimented with unconventional compositions, strikingly bold color, and loose handling. The focus in Monet’s pictures shifted from the representation of figures to depictions of different qualities of atmosphere and light in each scene. Read about one piece filler list
Advancing towards Abstraction
During Monet’s later years, he became increasingly aware of the decorative qualities that are associated with form and color. He started to use smaller strokes when applying paint and built it up in wide fields of colors while delving into the possibilities of contrasts of color and harmonies on decorative paint surfaces. View Claude Monet Selection here.
Monet was able to achieve effects, especially in the sequence of paintings in the late 1800s, which represented a significant step towards abstract painting and contemporary painting that emphasized solely on surface effects
Pillar of Impressionism
Monet was regarded as a leader and inspiration among the Impressionists. His influence attracted Camille Pissarro, EdouardManet, Alfred Sisley and Pierre Auguste Renoir to work together within Paris and surrounding areas. He also played an instrumental role in developing the exhibition society to showcase the work that the group produced from 1874 to 1886.
Artistic Legacy
Monet lived an extraordinary and long life and his extensive artistic output reflects the exemplary level of his contemporary popularity. He is seen as the pillar of Impressionism and the artistic movement continues to be highly popular.
- The ongoing popularity of impressionism is witnessed in the massive production and consumption of posters, postcards and calendars. Monet’s paintings are sold at high prices during auctions and many are classified as priceless. His work can be viewed at major museums around the world.
- Although Monet’s paintings have been canonized and are now globally recognized, he was only known by a few a few art lovers after his death. Abstract Expressionists and Minimalists learned a lot from Monet’s compositions and large canvasses.
Monet and Impressionism are now regarded as the foundation of contemporary and modern art, which has resulted in their evolution as essential aspects of historical art surveys.
