Claude Monet (1840-1926) was a hero. This was because he was a major figure in revolutionizing the art world. He was a French painter who invented Impressionism, now famous for “capturing light and natural forms” (“Claude Monet Biography”). Monet, also a writer, gave advice for fellow Impressionists “to try to forget what objects you have in front of you […] until it gives your own naïve impression of the scene” (quoted in Yurasits).
Monet was dauntless in the face of adversity. He and his companions boldly set up their April 1874 exhibition showcasing their new art style. Critics gave the name Impressionism, after Monet’s painting Impression Sunrise, as a derogatory term to the art style, pointing to its unfinished sketch-like quality. The art style of broad brushstrokes in vibrant colors and bold contrasts was seen as improper for French artists at that time in which to engage. Realism was the proper art style, as it had been for centuries. However, the camera allowed for new ways of looking at the world. It allowed the artist to study color theory, capture images for later reflection, and play with focus and perspective (“Impressionism”). It seems Monet recognized this. He seized the opportunity to be innovative in artwork by seeking to capture the feel of the subject over the precise form of the subject. For this he faced ridicule, but preserved.
Monet continued to create his innovative artwork despite setback. He “struggled with depression, poverty, and illness throughout his life” (“Claude Monet Biography”). However, Monet battled these enough to paint amazing and intriguing artwork that is still extremely famous and meaningful today. Even though he received little recognition in his day, Monet painted boldly to the end and encouraged artists from his day to the present to be both patient and fearless in their new artistic pursuits. He is a hero not only for the modern art movement but for any creative person who seeks to push into the unknown.
- “Claude Monet Biography: Painter 1840-1926.” Bio. Bio, n. d. Web. 9 May 2016.
- “L’Atelier: Innovations in Science and Technology.” Impressionism.org. Impressionism.org, n. d. Web. 9 May 2016.
- Yurasits, Jamie. “Analysis of Claude Monet’s Impression Sunrise.” Incite: Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship. Longwood University: Cook Cole College of Arts and Sciences, n. d. Web 9 May 2016.
