Monet's House: An Impressionist Interior

by Heide Michels, Heide Michels, Guy Bouchet (Photographer)

Claude Monet was as meticulous in the decoration of his family home at Giverny as he was about the planting of its world-famous garden. Hundreds of thousands of people visit the house and gardens every year, enchanted by the vibrant-colored rooms restored just as they were in the house's heyday and decorated according to Monet's revolutionary views on color and light. As he moves through the house the author describes the mealtime rituals of the yellow dining room, the studio where Monet worked and entertained and the family activities that animated the blue room. She also opens the door to rooms not normally seen by the public - we catch a glimpse of private bedrooms and the cellar where wine was bottled and fruit preserved. This book is an invitation to visit the house on a summer's day in the 1890s to marvel at Monet's decorative vision and to experience some of the behind-the-scenes activities that underpinned the busy household.

Genres: Art, France, Nonfiction

144 pages, Paperback

First published September 8, 1997

Reviews

[Negin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This coffee-table-type book is just gorgeous. It’s a detailed look at Monet’s house and gardens in Giverny, outside Paris, but also includes lots of interesting tidbits about Monet’s daily life and his family.

We visited Paris several years ago and although I really wanted to visit Monet’s House outside Paris, we weren’t able to do so. I’m truly looking forward to hopefully visiting there soon. More than anything, I would also love to incorporate some of his color palettes and ideas into our own home.

Some parts that I thought were particularly interesting:
“Meals in the Monet household were timed to the minute. Since Monet did much of his painting from life in the open air, every moment of daylight was precious to him, and he had his breakfast soon after dawn, usually alone … He would eat roasted meat, broiled chitterling sausages, some Stilton (the most Gallic of British cheeses), French bread, and Normandy butter with marmalade, accompanied by both china tea and a glass of milk. Lunch followed punctually at 11:30 A.M., and dinner at 7 P.M. A gong was struck twice to summon everybody, and lateness was not tolerated.”

“Lunch and dinner usually consisted of at least three courses, including a salad, but desserts in the evening tended to be less elaborate affairs than those made for lunch. Paul, the butler, served the dishes in rapid succession since Monet did not like to wait too long between courses.”

“As an early riser, Monet hated going to bed late and preferred to entertain guests at lunchtime.”

The kitchen:



The dining room:

[Stacia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a feast for the eyes. Lots of gorgeous photographs of the interior of the house, as well as the gardens & pond. The limited text gives insight into Monet's life & family. Lovely.

[Holly R W · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have admired Claude Monet's art work for years. His paintings are so full of sunlight, color and grace. I have a print of his in my kitchen. This book showcases Monet's famous house and gardens in Giverny, including his signature water lilies.

Here is a man who is unafraid of decorating with vibrant colors. The book allows one to experience the beautiful rooms Monet lived in and designed. The photographs are accompanied by explanations of his family and work life. Monet also had a hearty appetite for food and fine dining. Photographs of the kitchen, dining areas and elegant china abound.

Some items of special interest to me are: his Japanese art collection, a French country breakfront and a tray that is similar to a gift I received from my grandmother. I also enjoyed his use of putting yellow and blue together, colors I personally respond to.

Recommended for readers who enjoy Monet's art work.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful book with lovely photos and great writing about Monet's home , family life and his great passion for painting and gardening and entertaining. He also suffered from depression and was saddened by the events of WWI and the loss of famiky members during the war. He continued to paint despite physical difficulties including failing eyesight. I have always wanted to visit his home but this book is as close as I will come.

[Diana]

i ripped off monet's palette when i was choosing the color scheme for the rooms in my house. his eye for color and composion clearly extended beyond the canvas to his beautiful home and garden in giverny.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful photo book, with much written about Monet's history.

[J E]

Recommended for someone involved in interior design or someone who wants to create a time period feel. much useful insight given into culture and the artist himself.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book makes me want to go to Giverny even more as well as incorporate some of his magic into my own home.

[Julie Davids · Rating 5 out of 5]

A

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting to see how a great artist lived and how his home looked and functioned.

[Marlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently attended a lecture about Monet at the Art Institute. It made me appreciate this book more.

[Anne Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful look at Monet's house in Giverny.