Claude Monet was born in Paris on the 14th November, 1840. For much of his childhood, Monet was considered by both his teachers and his parents to be undisciplined and, therefore, unlikely to make a success of his life.The only subject which seemed to spark any interest in the child was painting. By the age of fifteen, he was receiving commission for his work.
In 1862, he was called up for National Service and went to Algeria for a year with a prestigious regiment: les Chaussures d'Afrique. This experience was to have a profound effect on Monet. The landscapes and colours of Algeria presented an entirely different perspective of the world, one which was to inspire him for many years to come.
In 1892, he painted series of Rouen Cathedral, noticing how every aspect of the scene was altered in accordance with the changing light. At last, Monet gained renown. He knew several important people and he became financially secure for the first time in his life. With this new-found luxury, Monet devoted himself to gardening which, in turn, provided a motif for the painter's last important work, the Water Lily Pool. Monet was absorbed in this project almost exclusively from 1900 until his death.
He is regarded as the archetypical Impressionist in that his devotion to the ideals of the movement was unwavering throughout his long career.
 | Waterlilies, Green Reflection, Left Part 1916-1923; Orangerie, Paris |
 | Water Lilies 1906; Oil on canvas; The Art Institute of Chicago |
 | Water Lilies (The Clouds) 1903; Oil on canvas; Private collection |
 | Rouen Cathedral: Full Sunlight 1894; Louvre, Paris |
 | La cathédrale de Rouen, le portail, temps gris (Rouen Cathedral, the West Portal, Dull Weather) dated 1894, painted 1892; Oil on canvas; Musee d'Orsay, Paris |
 | La cathédrale de Rouen, le portail et la tour Saint-Romain, plein soleil, harmonie bleue et or (Rouen Cathedral, the West Portal and Saint-Romain Tower, Full Sunlight, Harmony in Blue and Gold)dated 1894, painted 1893; Oil on canvas; Musee d'Orsay, Paris |
 | Meule, Soleil Couchant 1891; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston |
 | The Floating Ice 1880 |
 | Bulbfield and Windmill Near Leyden 1886; State Museum, Amsterdam |
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