Monet or the Triumph of Impressionism
Among all the painters who wrestled with light as a subject in itself, only Turner comes close to matching what Claude Monet (1840–1926) achieved across his long, restless career. Where his Impressionist contemporaries eventually drifted toward other concerns, Monet held firm. Cézanne once described him as 'only an eye, but my God what an eye!' and it's hard to argue with that. His commitment to painting what he actually saw, directly from life, never wavered. Wildenstein's biography traces how Monet's understanding of colour grew from a rich mix of influences: an early fascination with Japanese woodblock prints, a stint as a young conscript beneath the fierce Algerian sun, and close friendships with the leading painters of his day. Together, these shaped a vision that would quietly alter how we look at the natural world. His final great achievement, the water lily series painted in his own garden at Giverny, pushed representation so far toward pure sensation that it effectively laid the groundwork for abstract art. This is a thorough and thoughtful study, generously illustrated with reproductions and archival photographs. The commentary is both detailed and accessible, making it a rewarding read whether you're coming to Monet fresh or revisiting him with fresh eyes.
- Author: Daniel Wildenstein
- Publisher: Taschen GmbH
- Genre: Painting
- ISBN: 978-3836551014
- Pages: 488 pages