“ I do what I can to express what I feel in the presence of nature.
”

• Born in Paris, France in
1840
• Is now one of the most famous artists of all time
• Impressionist painter

• Soft edges
• Bright colors dabbed side by side
• Short, choppy brushstrokes
• Highly textured surface

• Painted the people & places he knew best
• Common
Subjects:
– Seascapes
– Landscapes
– Flowers
– Portraits
Regatta at Argenteuil ,
1872

,
1873

1875
Camille Monet and her son Jean

Painted the same subject in different weather, seasons, and times of the day
Monet saw that the colors of a scene changed as the light and weather changed

Color constantly changes according to the sun ’ s position
Rouen Cathedral
Morning Sun ,
1893
Rouen Cathedral at Midday ,
1894
Rouen Cathedral in the Evening ,
1894

• Monet created a beautiful garden in Giverny
– Bamboo, Irises, Roses, Water Lilies, and Wisteria
• After 1911, the garden became his sole subject

MOMA Kids Audio Clip

As Monet grew older, his style began to change due to his failing eyesight

1900
1923

– Painted hundreds of water lilies from 1900-26
– Water lilies became hazier as his cataracts worsened
– Eventually the water lilies, water, and reflections melted together into a hazy mist of swirling color
Audio Clip