Claude Monet was a French painter who is considered one of the founders of Impressionism, a movement in French painting that emerged in the late 19th century. He was born on November 14, 1840 in Paris, France and grew up in the port town of Le Havre.
Monet's mother died when he was five years old, and he was raised by his father, who owned a grocery store. Monet showed an early interest in art, and at the age of 11 he was sent to study at the École des Beaux-Arts in Le Havre. He later moved to Paris to study at the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs and the Académie Suisse, where he met other aspiring artists such as Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Alfred Sisley.
In the 1860s, Monet traveled to London and was influenced by the works of John Constable and Joseph Mallord William Turner. He also visited the Netherlands and Belgium, where he was inspired by the landscapes and seascapes he saw.
Upon his return to France, Monet began to develop his own style of painting, which was characterized by loose brushstrokes and an emphasis on light and color. He focused on capturing the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere in his paintings, rather than striving for photographic realism. This approach would become the hallmark of Impressionism.
In 1874, Monet exhibited some of his paintings at the first Impressionist exhibition in Paris, which was organized by a group of artists who were seeking to break away from the traditional techniques and subject matter of academic art. Monet's painting "Impression, Sunrise" gave the movement its name, and he became one of its most prominent members.
Throughout his career, Monet continued to experiment with new techniques and subjects. He painted landscapes, seascapes, and portraits, and is perhaps best known for his series of paintings of water lilies and the Rouen Cathedral. He also traveled extensively, painting scenes from places such as London, Venice, and Giverny, where he lived for much of his life.
Monet died on December 5, 1926 at the age of 86. He was a pioneering artist who helped to establish the Impressionist movement and influenced the development of modern art. Today, his works are among the most popular and highly prized in the world, and his legacy continues to inspire artists and art lovers alike.
