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Monet
The name Claude Monet is synonymous with images full of dappled sunlight and paintings that evoke the cheerful lightness of things. Monet was rigorously opposed to the academic tradition prevalent in France, preferring to capture fleeting impressions in a spontaneous style of plein-air painting which shows light in all its manifestations.
This monograph includes paintings from all periods of the artist's life showing his early works painted in the forest at Fontainebleau as well as landscapes of his mature period with their bold brushwork, right up to his almost abstract later work. The paintings are divided into themes, journeys and scenes, highlighting the many facets of his oeuvre. Images of the Thames and of Rouen cathedral are included, as well as examples from the famous poppy field, haystack, and waterlilly series. Most of the paintings shown in more than 110 full-colour plates are the famous Monet scenes from Paris collections. However, these are supplemented by many rarely seen works from collections in Europe, America and Japan as well as three that have never been published before.
The book contains an introductory essay by Stephan Koja and commentaries on all the plates arranged in thematic groups. Copiously illustrated biographical notes on the artist and extracts from his letters complete this volume.
This monograph includes paintings from all periods of the artist's life showing his early works painted in the forest at Fontainebleau as well as landscapes of his mature period with their bold brushwork, right up to his almost abstract later work. The paintings are divided into themes, journeys and scenes, highlighting the many facets of his oeuvre. Images of the Thames and of Rouen cathedral are included, as well as examples from the famous poppy field, haystack, and waterlilly series. Most of the paintings shown in more than 110 full-colour plates are the famous Monet scenes from Paris collections. However, these are supplemented by many rarely seen works from collections in Europe, America and Japan as well as three that have never been published before.
The book contains an introductory essay by Stephan Koja and commentaries on all the plates arranged in thematic groups. Copiously illustrated biographical notes on the artist and extracts from his letters complete this volume.
- GenresArtNonfictionAdult
224 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 1980
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 13, 2022
At first I wasn't sure if it was Monet's life that was dull, or the writing.
As I read a bit more I decided on the writing.
I simply just did not like the style or how it was executed. I felt like I was reading a history book with a comments on when Monet moved and married again. I get it, it's a biography of a historical figure so yes history will be included, but as I stated previously the writing was just dull.
As I read a bit more I decided on the writing.
I simply just did not like the style or how it was executed. I felt like I was reading a history book with a comments on when Monet moved and married again. I get it, it's a biography of a historical figure so yes history will be included, but as I stated previously the writing was just dull.
June 20, 2025
I love monet
March 30, 2024
I did not actually “read” this book. I was looking for pictures to share with an elementary art class so this review is mainly on image content.
This is a small book so there are not a ton of pictures and half are black-and-white. I was intrigued by many of the image choices though. There were some unexpected works by Monet that I had never seen before (Agapanthus, 1914) and a beautiful reproduction of a haystack in the snow which I want to make a mental note of. There were also a surprising number of more recent works, including works by Andy Warhol, Barnett Newman, Pablo Picasso, and Jackson Pollock. I’m sure the text makes many interesting comparisons there.
Overall, not enough Monet for my purposes and not enough of the images were in color. This is, however, certainly a book I would be interested in revisiting and actually read.
This is a small book so there are not a ton of pictures and half are black-and-white. I was intrigued by many of the image choices though. There were some unexpected works by Monet that I had never seen before (Agapanthus, 1914) and a beautiful reproduction of a haystack in the snow which I want to make a mental note of. There were also a surprising number of more recent works, including works by Andy Warhol, Barnett Newman, Pablo Picasso, and Jackson Pollock. I’m sure the text makes many interesting comparisons there.
Overall, not enough Monet for my purposes and not enough of the images were in color. This is, however, certainly a book I would be interested in revisiting and actually read.
March 8, 2021
I just really love Monet. I enjoyed this book showcasing Monet at the MoMA and liked the information about how the paintings came to be there. I think I’ll have to buy a more in depth book now so I can learn more.
January 9, 2022
oh yeah, i forgot that art history is kind of cool
November 28, 2015
2015 Reading Challenge: A non-fiction book
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews