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Monet's House: An Impressionist Interior
It is a summer's day in the late 1890s and Monet's house at Giverny is in its heyday. Outside, the pink stucco walls are punctuated by brilliant green shutters, and a new green balcony spans the length of the house. Inside, light streams through open windows, illuminating the vibrant, innovative colors Monet chose to color his rooms.
Here is a guided tour of the house where Monet lived for forty years with the woman who would become his second wife, Alice Hoschedé, and their eight children. The original furniture, much of it painted in vivid hues, is here as well as appointments--china, linen, and small antique collectibles--authentic to what is known of Monet's lifestyle and the period.
Here is the famous dining room painted in two shades of yellow, embellished with Japanese prints and blue-and-white china. Here is the kitchen with its blue- and-white Rouen tiles and copper pots, the fabled studio where Monet not only painted but entertained his family and friends, the blue drawing room where the family gathered for games, the bedrooms and dressing rooms with their simple and elegant appointments, the foyers, the épicerie, even the cellar where wine and provisions were stored. Paint dabs showing the colors used in major rooms allow the reader to duplicate them in their own homes.
Heide Michels opens a door onto Monet's private world, giving us a vivid impression of the family's day-to-day routine, including family activities and mealtime rituals. She describes Monet's love of the good life; good food, good wine, and the company of stimulating friends, among them Monet's fellow painters, Renoir and Caillebotte, and a circle of writers and critics.
Monet's House reveals the artist as a master decorator as innovative in his choice of wall and furniture colors as he was in his canvases. It also captures a vivid picture of domestic life as it was lived by one of the world's greatest Impressionist painters.
Here is a guided tour of the house where Monet lived for forty years with the woman who would become his second wife, Alice Hoschedé, and their eight children. The original furniture, much of it painted in vivid hues, is here as well as appointments--china, linen, and small antique collectibles--authentic to what is known of Monet's lifestyle and the period.
Here is the famous dining room painted in two shades of yellow, embellished with Japanese prints and blue-and-white china. Here is the kitchen with its blue- and-white Rouen tiles and copper pots, the fabled studio where Monet not only painted but entertained his family and friends, the blue drawing room where the family gathered for games, the bedrooms and dressing rooms with their simple and elegant appointments, the foyers, the épicerie, even the cellar where wine and provisions were stored. Paint dabs showing the colors used in major rooms allow the reader to duplicate them in their own homes.
Heide Michels opens a door onto Monet's private world, giving us a vivid impression of the family's day-to-day routine, including family activities and mealtime rituals. She describes Monet's love of the good life; good food, good wine, and the company of stimulating friends, among them Monet's fellow painters, Renoir and Caillebotte, and a circle of writers and critics.
Monet's House reveals the artist as a master decorator as innovative in his choice of wall and furniture colors as he was in his canvases. It also captures a vivid picture of domestic life as it was lived by one of the world's greatest Impressionist painters.
- GenresArtFranceNonfiction
144 pages, Hardcover
First published September 8, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 16, 2017
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:
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:
May 22, 2017
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.
April 29, 2022
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.
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.
October 31, 2015
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.
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June 6, 2019i 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.
June 28, 2008
A beautiful photo book, with much written about Monet's history.
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November 8, 2010Recommended 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.
March 10, 2016
This book makes me want to go to Giverny even more as well as incorporate some of his magic into my own home.
May 28, 2024
Really interesting to see how a great artist lived and how his home looked and functioned.
October 9, 2016
I recently attended a lecture about Monet at the Art Institute. It made me appreciate this book more.
March 14, 2008
A beautiful look at Monet's house in Giverny.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews