The French painter Claude Monet (1840-1926) is considered the foremost figure of Impressionism, a movement that emerged in 19th-century Paris seeking to break from academic conventions and produce a new form of art.
An Impressionist work must, above all, hold a commitment to the present moment. Through a gaze free from preconception and subjectivity, the artist portrays their initial impressions of an observed subject, with a primary emphasis on luminosity.
This perspective stood in opposition to the artistic production of the era, which was influenced by Realism and Romanticism. Realism was preoccupied with pictorial perfection, while Romanticism was laden with subjectivity, conveying the author’s values—in this case, the political and philosophical values of the time.
Impressionism, spearheaded by Claude Monet, departed sharply from all of this. An Impressionist painting is contemplative; it is not concerned with visual accuracy or the dissemination of ideas. It aims not only to record the artist’s impressions but also to transmit sensations to the observer.
Illuminated landscapes were Claude Monet’s preferred subject. He sought to portray nature and life objectively, producing his paintings en plein air to capture the best possible light conditions.
Monet relentlessly searched for the perfect landscape and light, going so far as to create a sophisticated garden at his home for this purpose—a garden to which he dedicated obsessive care. In this garden, he built a Japanese bridge that became the subject of some of his most famous canvases.
Initially, Impressionism received negative reviews that compared its canvases to mere smudges. However, it was one such critique that ultimately gave the movement its name.
Monet’s work Impression, Sunrise drew a pejorative comment from the writer and journalist Louis Leroy. He stated sarcastically that the soft brushstrokes of the painting had sparked an “impression,” concluding that a sheet of wallpaper would be more finished. Despite the ironic tone, Monet and other artists adopted the expression to christen their movement.
The Impressionist artists formed an alternative group, displaying their works in independent exhibitions, as many official salons rejected their canvases.
Between 1874 and 1886, they organized eight exhibitions. The initial failure with the public and critics plunged Monet into a financial crisis, but despite this, he remained faithful to the principles of Impressionism.
From 1880 onwards, interest in Impressionist works grew. Nevertheless, it was only after 1899—following years of arduous work—that Claude Monet became a revered master. Later, his works would come to be seen as the very essence of the French spirit.
