Monet

DK Eyewitness Books

by Jude Welton

The work of Claude Monet inspired the term 'Impressionism' and helped to define one of the most important artistic movements of the 19th century. This superbly illustrated account of Monet's long career brings the story of this remarkable painter vividly to life.An artist whose obsessive perfectionism led him to destroy his own work Claude Monet was a complex man. As a painter he challenged the French art establishment and created startlingly innovative works often executed out of doors and at high speed. He depicted human figures by means of a few rapid brushstrokes streaking the canvas with dashes of bold bright colour. His desire to record the precise effects of light and shade led him to work on up to 100 paintings in a single day. Interweaving biography with in-depth analysis of key techniques themes and stylistic approaches Monet gives a powerful insight into the life and work of one of the world's best-loved artists.

Genres: Art, Art History, History, France, Biography

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Jude Welton has a 10-year-old son with Asperger's Syndrome. Originally trained as a child psychologist specializing in autism, she is a freelance writer, writing mainly on the arts. She recently started writing about and for children with AS.

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gloria got this at the library and since I ended up reading every word, I thought I'd add it here :)
The pictures are great and I learned more about Monet.
We are hoping to go to Paris, Giverny & Etetrat, so maybe we'll see these IRL.

[Ange Partidas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found this in my public library and it was lovely, I loved looking at Monet's work and learning more of his life. So beautiful.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first painting that touched me after my four-year incense-induced visual blur in the convent was one of Monet's Waterlilies, which I saw up close on a freeing trip all alone to New York City. I stood in front of Monet's dreamscape and, not knowing, reached and touched its texture with my forefinger. A guard zipped over and kindly let me know to never, ever do that. I understood -- this was a holy object. But even now I am seared to Monet.

I got this children's introduction to the great Impressionist for a student I tutor. He was not impressed. But I -- and then my husband -- read it through and would be browsing still, but we've reached our nine-week library limit. So much is here, all in snippets: sketchbooks, biography, artistic development. His glasses, with one lens blank for the blind eye and the other one green.

I will remember how Monet dabbed with a wide brush to make waves, how he created a vertical grid of trees, how he brought to life the undulating underwater plants, how he created a pale rowboat with nobody inside.

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

i really like the paintings they put in there. and it describes Monets life really well

[Wendelle]

i learned how poor monet was throughout his life and how he made a rhythm of begging from his friends. i also learned how he developed his style over time, culminating in the aesthetically impressive impressionism.