FRENCH IMPRESSIONISMFRENCH IMPRESSIONISMCLAUDE MONETCLAUDE MONET

1840 - 19261840 - 1926

Have you ever been to France before? Do you plan to go? Do you hope to see far away places one day? How would you feel to see the actual places that inspired

world famous artist?

Come take a journey to Giverny, France, a place Claude Monet called home. This is where Monet painted some of the greatest art the world has ever known. And to

this day, his place of inspiration, looks much the same as it did then.

Mr. Queen, father of one of our 4th grade Rockets, has so generously shared photos from his trip to Paris and Giverny. With these photos, we can take a “walk with

Monet.”

Thank you Mr. Queen!You Rock!!

Giverny, France

Giverny sits on the "right Bank" of the River Seine and is about 50 miles slightly northwest of Paris. It is located in the old province of Normandy . Except for pavement,modern signage and utilities, Giverny looked as it did 120 years ago when Monet lived there. Many of the houses are 400 – 500 years old.

Wonderful LightNear Giverny

Notice the golden, almost bronze light. This photo was taken in Normandy, which is northeast of Paris and located along the English Channel. This area provides a perfect reflection of sunlight due to the northern angles and the position on the water. Are there certain times of the day that we see this sort of light here in Charlotte? Morning? Evening?

Path Through the Corn at Pourville,c. 1882

The Giverny Countryside

More of those wonderful golden colors! And here we see common farmhouses. This wheat could be used in the wonderful breads France is known for. Also, Normandy is famous for frommage [cheese] that comes from farms like these.

Haystack at Givernyc. 1840-1852

Monet’s HouseGiverny, France

Monet’s studio was to the left of picture on the ground floor. His bedroom was above it. Monet painted many views from this house and that window! What do you see out your window? How would you paint or draw that scene?

THE GARDEN AT GIVERNY C. 1902

Monet’s GardenView from Monet’s Bedroom

Monet’s garden was roughly 3-4 acres. Notice the areas planted with different colors and textures. How would this look different once all of the plants bloomed in the spring? How would this look once many of the plants lost their leaves in the fall?

Monet’s Bedroom

This is a distant image from looking from the garden and back towards the house. Do you see the people in the open window? Say hi to Mr. Queen! How does this image differ from the one taken closer to the house?

Monet’s Water Garden

Although the man on the boat looks like he is part of the scene, he is actually a worker removing excess water plants. The pond was created by diverting part of a stream and has a series of canals to adjust the water.

Monet’s Water Garden

Water LilliesMonet’s Water Garden

Looks just like Monet’s paintings hanging in the Musee L’Orangerie in Paris. Perhaps we need to take a quick break from Giverny and head back to Paris.

Musee de L’OrangerieParis

Quickly, we’re back in Paris for you to see the size of the Water Lily paintings. The Musee L’Orangerie houses the Water Lily Painting Collection of Monet. The Water Lily paintings consist of multiple panels are are about 30-40 feet long. L’Orangerie is 1 block from the world famous Louvre and gets its name because it used to be a greenhouse for orange trees.

Vistors Enjoying MonetMusee de L’Orangerie

Monet’s Water LilliesMusee de L’Orangerie

Monet’s Water LilliesMusee de L’Orangerie

Japanese BridgeMonet’s Water Garden

Back to Giverny where we will see the bridges that were built as part of the water garden. Monet created a water-garden with an Eastern theme: he constructed a Japanese foot-bridge and planted bamboo, gingko trees, and Japanese fruit trees around the pond. Partly inspired by Japanese prints but, above all, Monet wanted the oriental character of the bridge to add to the impression that the garden was exotic, timeless and otherwordly.

Le Pont Japonais a GivernyThis is one of a series of 24 bridge (pont) paintings Monet created between the years of 1916-1926. Each one is different.

Knowing that Monet was a master of painting light, what sorts of things could make each painting unique?

Japanese BridgeMonet’s Water Garden

Monet’s Gardens