Claude Monet was born on November 14th 1840 in Paris. He spent his childhood in Le Havre, selling caricatures. Boudin became aware of the young talent and gave him the first guidance. Monet moved to Paris in 1859, visited the Académie Suisse and met Pissarro. In 1862 / 63 he also met Renoir, Bazille and Sisley in the studio of Charles Gleyre.

Monet experimentalized with different impressions of natural light. He was successful in the salons between 1865 / 66. In 1870 he married Camille Doncieux. They moved to London escorted by Pissarro to escape from the beginning war between France and Germany. Monet finally came back to France and settled in Argenteuil near Paris. He participated in the first exhibition of impressionism. One of his pictures shown - "Impression, soleil levant" - became the eponym of the whole movement.

Monet's spouse died in 1879. Later he married Alice Hoschedé. Unfortunately she died at an early age in 1911. In 1883 Monet moved into an amply house in Giverny. He instructed an Japanese gardener to plant his garden with the well known waterlily pond. The famous pond was his only theme until Monet's death on the 6th of November 1926.

Claude Monet is said to be the epitome of impressionism. He painted the nature to illustrate the spirits of light, by painting the same motive at different times of day. Monet was also fascinated by the reflections of water with shadow and light. His own waterlily pond became his ideal object.

© Hardy Schulz