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Essential Monet
Essential Monet With a comprehensive introduction, Essential Monet looks in detail at all aspects of the artistic style of Monet, with detailed commentary on 120 of his works. Some of these are considered his most important pieces; while others may be less well-known, but they are all essential to his artistic and philosophical development.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 8, 2021
this was an informative read. I have no knowledge of art or art history or the Impressionist movement or Monet. I just know couple of his paintings and thought they were incredibly beautiful and very very pretty. I found this book for less than two dollars in a used book store and decided to give it a shot.
The author has collected artwork by Monet and has arranged them chronologically along with brief description to each one of them. I am in no position to judge the author's authority on the subject but to accept as I have zero training and to my eyes there is no such thing as ugly or wrong art. It was interesting to read technical dissection of art work - about perspectives, angles, shadows, depth, layers, philosophy, point of view, and many such things. It was also interesting to note how Monet was breaking some sort of traditionalism that existed in art world by capturing mundane moments and using very big canvas to paint these ordinary things.
I just thought this was pretty neat and I had fun reading this and getting to know about art and art theory.
The author has collected artwork by Monet and has arranged them chronologically along with brief description to each one of them. I am in no position to judge the author's authority on the subject but to accept as I have zero training and to my eyes there is no such thing as ugly or wrong art. It was interesting to read technical dissection of art work - about perspectives, angles, shadows, depth, layers, philosophy, point of view, and many such things. It was also interesting to note how Monet was breaking some sort of traditionalism that existed in art world by capturing mundane moments and using very big canvas to paint these ordinary things.
I just thought this was pretty neat and I had fun reading this and getting to know about art and art theory.
November 23, 2007
I am a huge fan of impressionist paintings and Monet is my favorite painter of all. My favorite work of his is "Poppy Field at Argenteuil", the painting of his son and wife walking past the field full of red poppies.
I first saw the painting in a catalog and I just love the red color of the poppies, I thought there were only two people walking in the front view but there were also two people at the rear view. I bought the poster along with the matching red frame and hung it on the wall of my bedroom along with Klimt's The Kiss. The painting gives me more reason to buy this book, to know more about Monet's works, and to be kept fascinated by them.
If you want to see the painting, click here
I first saw the painting in a catalog and I just love the red color of the poppies, I thought there were only two people walking in the front view but there were also two people at the rear view. I bought the poster along with the matching red frame and hung it on the wall of my bedroom along with Klimt's The Kiss. The painting gives me more reason to buy this book, to know more about Monet's works, and to be kept fascinated by them.
If you want to see the painting, click here
July 26, 2021
A competent tour through the selected work of Claude Monet. It was Monet's work which defined the Impressionist movement (taking its name from Impression, Sunrise, included here on page 74), where detail in a painting is sacrificed in favour of creating a general impression of the scene in question. To this end, Monet is primarily concerned with landscapes and other colourful nature scenes, as well as implied motion and the effect of natural light.
Vanessa Potts does reasonably well to guide us through Monet's artistic principles (though the introduction by Claire O'Mahony is underwhelming), pointing out certain techniques such as the relationship between the horizontal and the vertical, the proportions of sky and sea, and also subtleties like, in Zaandam, the wobbly reflections in the water indicating ripples of movement rather than stillness (pg. 70). There are some problems – she frequently makes reference to other Monet paintings not included in the book, and many of those which are reproduced are too small on the page to truly capture them. I know it is said of Monet's work that it is best viewed from a distance, but reproducing paintings so they are only a few inches wide might be taking it a bit too far.
Ultimately, it is a useful introduction to Monet's work. He is not one of my favourite painters, being a pure aesthete with no deeper meaning or story in his impressions, but Potts' book has given me an appreciation for his approach, and for the subtleties of technique in even his broadest brushstrokes.
Vanessa Potts does reasonably well to guide us through Monet's artistic principles (though the introduction by Claire O'Mahony is underwhelming), pointing out certain techniques such as the relationship between the horizontal and the vertical, the proportions of sky and sea, and also subtleties like, in Zaandam, the wobbly reflections in the water indicating ripples of movement rather than stillness (pg. 70). There are some problems – she frequently makes reference to other Monet paintings not included in the book, and many of those which are reproduced are too small on the page to truly capture them. I know it is said of Monet's work that it is best viewed from a distance, but reproducing paintings so they are only a few inches wide might be taking it a bit too far.
Ultimately, it is a useful introduction to Monet's work. He is not one of my favourite painters, being a pure aesthete with no deeper meaning or story in his impressions, but Potts' book has given me an appreciation for his approach, and for the subtleties of technique in even his broadest brushstrokes.
May 22, 2025
It was an enjoyable read, I appreciated the introduction and insight onto the artist's life before getting to see some of his work. Some of the descriptions or ideas given by the writer seemed a little too unbelievable for me to think it was really Monet's intention, but I do like the occassional trivia and at times her way to describe the pieces was nice and added a new layer to the artwork shown, even if it was not the case at all times.
Also in some of the pieces you could see mentions of adjacent artworks that weren't in the book so that was a little of a bummer, but in the case that the mentioned piece was indeed in it, you are given the page number to check back (or forward!) So that's alright all things considered.
My intention was to discover more artworks of Monet since I barely scratched the surface on my own, and this book did give me exactly that, so I can't complain all that much. So if you're looking for that, it's a good read, just don't expect something super crazy or mind-opening.
Also in some of the pieces you could see mentions of adjacent artworks that weren't in the book so that was a little of a bummer, but in the case that the mentioned piece was indeed in it, you are given the page number to check back (or forward!) So that's alright all things considered.
My intention was to discover more artworks of Monet since I barely scratched the surface on my own, and this book did give me exactly that, so I can't complain all that much. So if you're looking for that, it's a good read, just don't expect something super crazy or mind-opening.
January 11, 2021
Monet is one of my favorite artists in this world. All his paintings are completely touching in my opinion, they always make me cry and give me a feel of magic. Impressionism is an artistic style that have the power to connect deeply with our emotions, is full of sensations that other styles just can't create. Monet is the representation on it and his life was filled with these colors and lights till the end. This book I bought some months ago is a jewel! Vanessa Potts presents more than 100 paintings of Monet with a beautiful and academic description and analysis for each of them. The selection is amazing, and it let you see his progress until the last days when he was almost blind, and even with that, still painting like a god.
November 19, 2018
A great book if you are trying out new styles of painting. It has pictures and adds a brief description on what you should be looking at. I always held it further away from me to truly admire the beauty from the painting style Monet tried to depict.
August 24, 2018
Beautiful little volume with sharp reproductions and wonderful writeups.
February 16, 2019
Everyone discusses my art and pretends to understand, as if it were necessary to understand, when it is simply necessary to love.
August 23, 2024
Art for art's sake. Writing for writing's sake.
September 2, 2024
amo a monet 💌💌💌
February 15, 2021
yes very pretty paintings. claude really knew what he was doing
October 12, 2019
leitura agradável
July 27, 2011
A beautiful book with some of the most intriguing art . I have always loved Monet and his works are some of the most beautiful in the world. I recommend this book to art lovers or just those who enjoy looking at some breathtaking masterpieces..
August 5, 2013
the background information about monet was informative and appreciated. I only rated a 3 because I guess I don't like Monet as much as I thought I did. also, the author woukd reference other paintings of monets, and if you dont knoe what's his, its easy to get lost in translation.
July 15, 2018
A thoroughly enjoyable book. It is easy to read and understand, all the paintings are presented in chronological order, and it is not the least bit boring. I do wish that Vanessa Potts (the authoress) had also written books on artists such as Sir Alfred Munnings and Thomas Gainsborough.
August 30, 2018
A favorite artist of mine. Monet and the impressionist movement are a very important time period. My favorite paintings of his are “The Picnic in the Grass, Women in The Garden, The Water Lillies, The Japanese Woman and Europe Bridge, St. Lazare Station.”
January 8, 2024
Purchased at Ballard Goodwill August 15, 2015
4.0 / 5.0
Nice Selection of Pictures but color Quality of prints is poor.
Good Explanatory texts located conveniently on same page as Print.
Informative short intro.
4.0 / 5.0
Nice Selection of Pictures but color Quality of prints is poor.
Good Explanatory texts located conveniently on same page as Print.
Informative short intro.
February 20, 2013
Brief descriptions for each painting not only describe the techniques and story behind the work, but also draw comparisons for the reader to consider. A good reference book for the casual viewer.
January 3, 2014
Paintings = 5; text = 3
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews