Claude monet biography book
Monet: The Restless Vision
November 24, 2023
This book is a masterpiece and one of the best biographies I have ever had the pleasure of reading. As I grow older, I appreciate both Impressionism and Monet specifically to an ever greater degree, and reading Wullschlager's fantastic volume has certainly reinforced Monet's status as in my opinion one of the greatest painters to ever live. The author succeeds in cutting through the chocolate-box familiarity of many of Monet's iconic paintings, from Impression: Sunrise to Water Lilies, reminding us just how daringly inventive, shocking and influential they were on first appearance. The descriptions of these works are uniformly excellent, and Wullschlager offers several intriguing new links and explanations for Monet's working processes. Sections on the impact of Japanese prints on the French master's work, and how many of his later creations anticipated the 20th century move towards abstract art were eye-opening and offered refreshing new ways of viewing many of these iconic paintings.
However, where this book really comes to life is in its portrait of Monet the person and the world in which he worked in. I was fascinated by every second of the time spent in the presence of this insular and increasingly reclusive genius who preferred to let his painting speak on his behalf. Monet's friends and rivals from inside and outside the artistic community are also wonderfully depicted; his work is placed in its context alongside the likes of Manet, Renoir, Bazille, Morisot and many others, while his position in wider French society and relationships with the likes of Clemenceau, Zola and Proust as well as his experiences during momentous historical occasions ranging from the First World War to the Dreyfus Affair are also covered in exquisite fashion. A welcome revisionist addition to Monet's history is the role of women in his work; the influence of Camille Monet, Alice Hoschede and Blanche Hoschede has often been overlooked as is unfortunately common for women in art history. Discovering their impact was an enlightening joy.
Taken together, the multiple strands in this book provide a definitive overview of Monet's oeuvre as well as the man behind them. Wullschlager's formidable research and beautiful writing produce a definitive account which had a surprisingly high emotional effect on me even over a century after the events portrated (the story of Bazille, the tragic early hero of Impressionism, had me in tears). My only regret on finishing this is that the rest of my favourite artists haven't yet been given such incredible treatment. This is undoubtedly the most enjoyable artist biography I have ever seen, and a brilliant experience regardless of your level of knowledge or interest in Monet.
However, where this book really comes to life is in its portrait of Monet the person and the world in which he worked in. I was fascinated by every second of the time spent in the presence of this insular and increasingly reclusive genius who preferred to let his painting speak on his behalf. Monet's friends and rivals from inside and outside the artistic community are also wonderfully depicted; his work is placed in its context alongside the likes of Manet, Renoir, Bazille, Morisot and many others, while his position in wider French society and relationships with the likes of Clemenceau, Zola and Proust as well as his experiences during momentous historical occasions ranging from the First World War to the Dreyfus Affair are also covered in exquisite fashion. A welcome revisionist addition to Monet's history is the role of women in his work; the influence of Camille Monet, Alice Hoschede and Blanche Hoschede has often been overlooked as is unfortunately common for women in art history. Discovering their impact was an enlightening joy.
Taken together, the multiple strands in this book provide a definitive overview of Monet's oeuvre as well as the man behind them. Wullschlager's formidable research and beautiful writing produce a definitive account which had a surprisingly high emotional effect on me even over a century after the events portrated (the story of Bazille, the tragic early hero of Impressionism, had me in tears). My only regret on finishing this is that the rest of my favourite artists haven't yet been given such incredible treatment. This is undoubtedly the most enjoyable artist biography I have ever seen, and a brilliant experience regardless of your level of knowledge or interest in Monet.
Jaakko hintikka bookshelves Inquiry as Inquiry: A Logic of Scientific Discovery is written by Jaakko Hintikka and published by Springer. The Digital and eTextbook ISBNs for Inquiry as Inquiry: A Logic of Scientific Discovery are 9789401593137, 9401593132 and the print ISBNs are 9780792354772, 079235477X. Save up to 80% versus print by going digital with VitalSource.