Claude Monet

Claude Monet was a French painter and a founder of Impressionism. He was born in Paris in 1840. He loved painting outdoors and capturing how light changes. His water lily paintings are some of the most loved artworks in the world.

Early Life

Monet grew up in Normandy, France, near the sea. He loved drawing from a young age. He drew funny cartoons of his teachers. He studied art in Paris and met other young painters who shared his ideas.

Big Achievements

Monet's painting Impression, Sunrise gave the Impressionist movement its name. He painted the same subjects at different times of day to show changing light. He created a beautiful garden at his home in Giverny, France. He painted over 250 water lily paintings.

Fun Facts

• Monet's garden in Giverny, France, is now a popular museum.
• He painted the same haystack over 25 times at different times of day.
• Monet had cataracts later in life, which changed how he saw colors.

Did You Know?

Critics hated Monet's style at first. They thought his paintings looked unfinished. The name Impressionism was meant as an insult. Today, Impressionist paintings are among the most popular and valuable in the world.