Claude Monet Biography

Claude Monet who was born on November 14, 1840 and died December 5, 1926 is a famous French artist who is considered as a founder of Impressionism. He was born Claude Oscar Monet Paris, France to Claude-Adolphe  and Louise-Justine Aubree. Even as young boy, Monet openly declared his love of art and his hopes of living life as an artist.

In 1851, at the age of eleven, he began his studies at the Le Havre school for the arts and began selling charcoal paintings to the locals in the area. He studied under the watchful eye of Jacques-Francois Ochard for a few years. Later, he met and befriended Eugene Boudin who helped him master oil paints and "plein air" techniques.

While on a visit to the Louvre in Paris, he observed that the painters are mimicking the work of famous artists. Instead of copying the styles of other painters, he developed his own style which later gave birth to the Impressionism.

In 1861, Monet joined the First Regiment of African Light Cavalry in Algeria where he stayed for two years. However, his aunt petitioned for his return after he contracted typhoid and in exchange for his unfulfilled work with the Cavalry, he agreed to study art at a university. During that time, he befriended other artists and shared ideas on new, rapid painting techniques. During that time also, he met Camille Doncieux with whom he had a son, Jean, in 1867. They married in June of 1870.

In the fall of 1871, Monet returned to France where he settled in Argenteuil. During his time at Argenteuil, he focused more on developing his impressionistic style, where he painted the famous Impression, Sunrise in 1872 which later served to name the impressionist movement.

He and his children once moved into the home of Ernest Hoshede, who was a patron of the arts. After Hoshede experienced some financial problems, he moved to Poissy with Hoshede's wife, Alice, and her six children. Later they to Giverny where Claude Monet planted a vast garden that later inspired his famous works featuring willows and water lilies. In 1892, he and Alice got married.

In December 5, 1926, Claude Monet died from lung cancer at the age of 86 and was buried in the cemetery of the Giverny church. Meanwhile, his home, garden and waterlily pond were bequeathed by his only heir son Michel to the French Academy of Fine Arts in 1966.