Artists Magazine - USA (2019-10)

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ArtistsNetwork.com 57

and physical stamina were already legendary. His pri-
vate life also had been difficult. His companion, Camille
Doncieux, became pregnant in 1867, and a penniless
Monet was obliged to return to his family for a few
months, unable to be present at the birth of his son.
In 1870, the Franco-Prussian War prompted him to
escape to London, while back in France, his close friend
and supporter, Bazille, was killed in action.
But gradually, Monet’s fortunes began to change.
He met the art dealer Paul Durand-Ruel in London,
a man who was to become Monet’s chief promoter and
financial mainstay. In 1871, with the war over and the
economy improving, the artist began making some
sales and moved to Argenteuil, a short distance up the
Seine from Paris. Finally able to install his family in
a reasonable home, Monet enjoyed a taste of financial
stability for a while.

EXPRESSIVE COLOR AND LIGHT
One of the paintings on view in Denver, Boulevard des
Capucines (opposite), was painted from the same rooms
in which the first Impressionist exhibition was held—
the upper floor of the studio building of Paul Nadar,
the great photographer. Here we find not only the
space and light of the Impressionist world, but also the
movement and bustle of modern urban life. Figures on
the street are achieved with swift blobs and strokes of

IT’SINTHE
ATMOSPHERE
CentraltoMonet’s
approachwasdirect
confrontationwithnature
andthepursuitofthe
effectsoflightand
atmosphere.“Forme,
a landscapedoesnotexist
initsownright,sinceits
appearancechangesat
everymoment,”hesaid,
“butthesurrounding
atmospherebringsit to
life—thelightandtheair
whichvarycontinually.
Forme,it isonlythe
surroundingatmosphere
whichgivessubjectstheir
truevalue.”

ABOVE
Fishing Boats
(Bateaux de Pȇche)
by Claude Monet
1883; oil on canvas;
25¾ x36½
DENVER ART MUSEUM:
FREDERIC C. HAMILTON
COLLECTION, BEQUEATHED
TO THE DENVER ART
MUSEUM


OPPOSITE
Boulevard des
Capucines
by Claude Monet
1873–1874; oil on
canvas, 31⅝ x23¾
THE NELSON-ATKINS
MUSEUM OF ART, KANSAS
CITY, MISSOURI. PURCHASE:
THE KENNETH A. AND
HELEN F. SPENCER
FOUNDATION ACQUISITION
FUND
PHOTO CREDIT:
NELSON-ATKINS MEDIA
SERVICES/JAMISON MILLER

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