Monet by Himself

by Claude Monet, Richard Kendall (Editor)

A collection of Monet's letters to friends, business associates, dealers, and fellow artists combined with over two hundred images of his paintings, pastels, and drawings. Same-scene paintings are shown together to accentuate Monet's love of light and varying effects.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Biography, Art History, Classics

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Claude Monet also known as Oscar-Claude Monet or Claude Oscar Monet (November 14, 1840 – December 5, 1926) was a founder of French impressionist painting, and the most consistent and prolific practitioner of the movement's philosophy of expressing one's perceptions before nature, especially as applied to plein-air landscape painting.

Reviews

[Jordan Bradley]

As a painter, Monet is clearly incredible, but it’s amazing to be able to see the flawed, insecure person behind artwork that is so expressive and confident to the eye. His early letters showcase his desperation, and we get to the obsessive, very much selfish attitude he takes to his work as he becomes older and more focused.

The book does a really great job of depicting the role of letter writing (a means of venting frustrations) and painting (a means of expressing appreciation of nature’s beauty) in his life. The presentation of his paintings (printed in really great colour and quality) also allows the reader to appreciate how he was attempting to capture light, colour and perspective differences for a single subject across multiple paintings.

It’s so intriguing to see the inner thoughts of an artist who desperately wants nothing more than to capture nature yet is also constantly frustrated at nature’s unwillingness to cooperate. It’s natural to see Monet’s paintings as the work of poise and mastery, but he comes across as emotional and slightly unbalanced across his letters, and that’s so illuminating. He’s a selfish person (I would love to read the letters Alice Hoschedé sent to him, expressing her distaste for him being away for such long periods of time!), and yet his letters are so earnest and honest that it makes you wonder if a publication of our private text messages to friends and family would come across any better.

Monet’s paintings are perfection, and Monet himself was clearly not. In showing that, this book is fantastic.

[Kakali]

This book is such an intimate portrait of Claude Monet's life and times as well as many other painters of the impressionist age. It is a collection of passionate letters written by Monet to his wife, friends and others with page after page of prints of his paintings.It's divided into the phases of his paintings - Paris, The Sea and The Water Lilies. In all the letters there is a predominant theme of the artist getting frustrated with not being able to capture the light on the sea ("old hag") as weather changes - "it's superb and I rage at my inability to express it better". It is also fascinating to read about his interactions with other impressionist painters like Cezanne, Manet or Degas. On the other hand, There are a lot of references to mundane issues such as constant anxiety about money, worrying about his paintings not getting the right price, or constantly missing his wife Alice Monet as he traveled all over France for painting locations.

[Aaron Hart]

Pretty impressive collection of letters from Monet in this book, and it was entertaining to try and match up dates of specific letters and cross reference them with his catalogue. That being said, I think the idea of this book works better than the actual product, most of his letters aren’t really that interesting, although they do give valuable insight on how emotional the great painters can get about their failures and self worth. I enjoyed the little page synopses of each era in his life and thought those were super valuable

[翰林院编修]

理查德·肯德尔（Richard Kendall）是一位艺术史学家，教师和画家，专门研究十九世纪的法国艺术。他曾在英国，欧洲和美国就该主题进行过广泛的演讲，并出版了许多关于印象派运动艺术家的书籍和文章。

有同类书 。莫奈手稿

[aurora]

it didn't have my fav painting included 😢 but I love Monét overall so still a 3 star.

[Kurishin]

It does what it says on the cover.

[Pete daPixie]

Another excellent coffee table book. A chronological sweep through the great mans life and artistic output. Page after page of his paintings, accompanied by the reproduced letters written to family and friends and fellow artists. Pick this up, and you have a compulsive page turner on your hands. The 19th century French Impressionist period is certainly one of my favourite artistic styles, and old Claude one of my favourite Impressionist painters.
What a golden age, along with Renoir, Pissarro (another fav), Manet and Cezanne to name just a few of the greats off the top of my head. An era of art similar to the 1960's.

[Christopher Rosche]

Very good book to better understand the personality behind the famous Impressionist artist. Reading his letters provides an intimate look at both his flaws and his love for his wives and children. Also lets you see how he struggled financially for so long before he became famous.

[Valerie Freeman]

Of course his life story is one of intrigue. His paintings fill the pages and make you feel as If you are in them. Loved this!!

[Monica Daries]

What an insight full read on a genius artist!

[Jeff Tonks]

Have always loved Monet's work so this was a delight.