back
At age 18, Monet was encouraged to begin painting outdoors (en plein air), a practice that would become synonymous with the
Impressionist movement. As he explored new painting techniques,
Monet developed a network of like-minded friends whose artistic
pursuit of light and color would usher in a new, modern, era for
art.
It was one of Monet’s paintings—Impression, Sunrise—which gave a name to the movement. Intending to mock the work,
a critic dubbed its style as “impressionism.” Instead of being
offended, however, the Impressionist painters eventually adopted
the term for themselves. In 1883 Monet discovered the village of
Giverny, about 50 miles northwest of Paris, first renting, then
purchasing a house there. His growing interest in horticulture
led him to import cultivars from as far away as South America to
add color to the native French lilies in his water garden. Over
the next 40 years his vast garden at Giverny would become a
major source of inspiration for his paintings.
The richness I achieve comes from nature, the source of my inspiration.
Born in Paris, the son of a merchant and grocer.
Arrives in Paris to study painting.
Meets Renoir and Sisley at the private art school run by painter Charles Gleyre in Paris.
Paints Impression, Sunrise, which will give the Impressionist movement its lasting name.
Participates in the first Impressionist exhibition in Paris.
Begins painting multiple views of the same subject under different atmospheric conditions, a practice that will continue all his life.
Rents a house in Giverny, which he buys seven years later and where he will live and paint for the rest of his life.
Visits London and begins a large series of paintings from his hotel room. One of these, Charing Cross Bridge, is in the IMA collection and can be seen reproduced above.
Builds a new painting studio at his house in Giverny so he can create large-scale paintings of his beloved water lilies.
Dies at Giverny, by this time wealthy and world-famous.
1. Self-Portrait with a Beret (detail), 1886, oil on canvas. Private Collection.
2. Impression, Sunrise, 1872, oil on canvas, 50 × 65 cm. Musée Marmottan Monet, Don Eugène and Victorine Donop de Monchy (donors) (23/05/1940 acquired), inv. 4014.
3. Water Lilies, 1906, oil on canvas. The Art Institute of Chicago, Mr. and Mrs. Martin A. Ryerson Collection, 1933.1157.
4. La Grenouillère, 1869, oil on canvas. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, H. O. Havemeyer Collection, Bequest of Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, 1929, 29.100.112.
5. Poppy Field, 1873, oil on canvas. Musée d'Orsay, Gift of Etienne Moreau-Nélaton, 1906, RF 1676. Image © Musée d'Orsay, Dist. RMN-Grand Palais / Patrice Schmidt.
6. Rouen Cathedral, West Façade, 1892, oil on canvas. National Gallery of Art, Chester Dale Collection, 1963.10.49.
7. The Water-Lily Pond, 1899, oil on canvas. The National Gallery, London, Bought, 1927, NG4240.
8. Woman with a Parasol - Madame Monet and Her Son, 1875, oil on canvas. National Gallery of Art, Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon, 1983.1.29.
9. Charing Cross Bridge, about 1900, oil on canvas. Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields, Gift of Several Friends of the Museum, 65.15.