Claude Monet

Claude Monet was a French painter and founder of Impressionism, one of the most influential art movements in history. Born in Paris, he grew up in Le Havre where he developed his passion for painting outdoors. Monet's revolutionary approach captured fleeting moments of light and atmosphere, breaking from traditional academic painting.

His work "Impression, Sunrise" (1872) gave the Impressionist movement its name. He became famous for his series paintings, depicting the same subject under different lighting conditions and seasons, including his iconic Water Lilies, Haystacks, Rouen Cathedral, and Poplars series. In 1883, Monet settled in Giverny where he created his legendary water garden with its Japanese bridge, which became the subject of approximately 250 paintings during his later years.

Despite facing financial hardships early in his career and struggling with cataracts in his final years, Monet continued painting until his death. His dedication to capturing the transient effects of light and color revolutionized art and influenced generations of artists. Today, Monet's works are among the most recognized and beloved paintings in the world, and his home and gardens at Giverny attract hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.