Claude Monet is a name that needs absolutely no introduction in the art world. Monet largely influenced modern art development and was the founder of French Impressionist painting.
In Monet’s 7-decade long, he finished more than 2000 paintings, including some of the greatest masterpieces of Impressionism. Today, Monet’s paintings are sold for millions of dollars and are put on display in some of the most popular and reputable museums worldwide.
The most exciting thing about Monet’s work was the evolution of his painting technique throughout his career. In today’s article, let’s talk about some of Claude Monet’s famous paintings.
Impression, Sunrise – 1872
Impression, Sunrise is not just one of the most famous pictures by Claude Monet but also an important one. The painting paved the development path of the Impressionist movement and is also credited with being the inspiration for the movement’s name.
Talking about the painting features the port of Le Havre, the hometown of Monet artists in the Normandy region of France. The focal element of this masterpiece is probably the Sun accompanied by small rowboats in the foreground. The best part about the painting has to be its color composition, which very perfectly captures the essence of the entire scenario.
Also, it is worth noting that Monet has used very thick brushstrokes that barely hint at the figuration of the pictures. The brushstrokes made the painting look nothing more than just an “impression,” thus the name. Currently, the image is on display at the Marmottan Monet Museum in Paris.
Woman With A Parasol – 1875
Monet painted Monet’s earlier painting, Woman with a Parasol, in 1875. In French, the painting was also known as La Promenade, which translates to “the walk.” Currently, the painting can be viewed at the National Art Gallery in Washington, D.C.
The art piece is a double portrait of Madame Camille Monet, Claude Monet’s first wife, and their 8-year-old son. Monet captured his wife and his in a perfect moment as they strolled the meadow of their home in Argenteuil. The painting beautifully captures Monet’s beautiful wife holding a parasol and turning back, gazing toward the viewer.
As an earlier painting of Monet, the painting showed his interest in light and shadows instead of the lines and figures. Furthermore, the intelligent application of the color is praiseworthy – the viewer’s sight automatically passes from one object to another. For instance, the umbrella, painted in green tones, is meant to draw the viewers’ eyes away from the grass.
Poppies At Argenteuil – 1873
Poppies at Argenteuil is a well-known painting by French artist dating from the late 19th century. Painted in 1873, this masterpiece features the town of Argenteuil, a town in the northwestern suburbs of Paris. Monet has beautifully captured the landscape such that it completely catches the viewers’ eyes and can take minutes for viewers to realize that there are a couple of figures in the painting.
Set in the poppies field of Argenteuil, the painting features a child and a middle-aged woman, who is often assumed to be Monet’s first wife, Camille, in the lower horizon of the painting. At the same time, the upper horizon of the painting captures a very bright sky filled with white clouds.
As with most of Claude Monet artworks, this particular art piece also lacks detailing of the facts and figures. Instead, Monet has wholly focused on capturing the magical light of the landscape through a beautiful color palette.
San Giorgio Maggiore at Dusk – 1908 to 1912
San Giorgio Maggiore at Dusk is a beautiful depiction of a small Venetian monastery island in Venice, Italy. Claude Monet painted this iconic masterpiece when he traveled to Venice with his wife. It is said that Monet was instantly captivated by the city’s beauty that he called in for his painting material.
Afterward, Monet began working on a series of paintings, which he completed after returning to his home. Monet captured this stunning sunset with the famous San Giorgio Maggiore in the background, as seen from Monet’s hotel room. Monet created five other versions of the painting according to multiple light conditions the French genius had experienced in his voyage.
Talking about the color composition, Monet has used vibrant blues, yellows, and red to capture the colorful essence of the sunset. The painting is also known for thin and light brushstrokes and a masterful depiction of light. Currently, the painting is owned by National Museum Cardiff in Wales.
Nympheas (Water Lilies) – 1896 to 1926
Water Lilies, or what is also known as Nympheas, are probably the most famous paintings by the French genius. Often described as “the Sister Chapel of Impressionism,” Water Lilies is a series of approximately 250 paintings that Monet created between 1896 and 1926.
The painting features water lilies in the pond of Monet’s Garden at his home in Giverny, where Monet and his family lived in the later years of his life. Monet spent 30 years creating this particular painting series. Monet’s obsession with his water lilies led him to draw the image repeatedly. However, Monet painted the lilies from different perspectives – different times of the day, different light settings, and the changing weather conditions.
As one of the most praised works of modern art, Nympheas leaves the viewers fascinated. The over-the-top representation of the incredible diversity of nature is breathtaking. In the present day, the iconic Water Lilies series are scattered all around the world – among them; one was sold for $80 million at an auction in 2008.
The Bottom Line
These are some of the most famous paintings by the French master of colors and shadows. Monet was one of very few artists in art history to have a very long career – nearly 7 –decades long. During his career, he not only created these fascinating artworks but also started the Impressionist art movement.
