Skip to main content

Featured

Vincent Van Gogh 9. The Sadness Will Last Forever

Thanks to his brother Theo, an exhibition of Vincent Van Gogh's work was held. For the first time, critics praised his paintings. Vincent, who had only ever received no reviews or bad ones, found it hard to believe that his work was finally being appreciated. He wanted to rush to the exhibition, but... Vincent couldn't leave the asylum. His seizures had worsened, making it impossible for him to go. Unable to bear the conditions at the Saint-Rémy asylum, Vincent returned to Paris at Theo’s urging. However, his troubled past in the city and his financial disputes with his brother made it unbearable for him to stay. So, he moved to Auvers-sur-Oise, a small town outside Paris. The church at Auvers (1890) In Auvers, Vincent sought help from Dr. Paul Gachet, a physician and painter who had been friends with Paul Cézanne. But Gachet couldn't cure Vincent's deepening mental troubles. Dr. Paul Gachet (1890) Whenever Vincent returned to a clearer state of mind, he would paint rel...
Read more
Labels

Claude Monet 3. The Beginning of Impressionism: "Impression, Sunrise"

 In July 1870, the war between France and Prussia broke out. To avoid conscription, Claude Monet fled to London, England, along with Camille and their son Jean. France suffered a crushing defeat by the German Confederation of Prussia and surrendered on May 10, 1871. After the war ended and the German troops withdrew, Monet's family returned to Paris in October of that year.

The Thames below Westminster (1871)


While in England, Monet encountered works that would revolutionize his use of color. These works were by Romantic painters who were active in London, including John Constable and Joseph Mallord William Turner. Turner's dynamic expressions of light and color through fog and storms significantly influenced Monet's previously static paintings.


<Paintings by J. M. W. Turner>

The shipwreck (1805)

Mount vesuvius in Eruption (1817)

However, Monet, who was unknown in England, struggled to find recognition. Confidently submitting his paintings to the Royal Academy Exhibition, he faced rejection. Frustrated, Monet moved to Zaandam in the Netherlands and returned to Argenteuil, near Paris, in October.


Windmills in Holland (1871)

For Monet, Le Havre was a second home, where his father also resided.

The grand dock at Le Havre (1872)

From his house, Monet had a view of the harbor at Le Havre. One morning, as the sun began to rise over the still-sleeping harbor enveloped in morning mist, a small fishing boat rowed through, awakening the harbor. The water shimmered and turned red as the boat passed. Inspired by this scene, Monet painted a picture and initially titled it "View of the Harbor."

Impression, Sunrise (1872)

He submitted this work to an exhibition, but Edmond, the brother of committee member Renoir, suggested that the title was too simple and stiff. After pondering, Monet changed the title to "Impression, Sunrise."

Critic Louis Leroy, upon seeing the painting, mockingly referred to it as "Exposition des impressionnistes" (Exhibition of the Impressionists). However, Monet seemed to like the term and began calling himself an Impressionist.

2024.06.26

Labels:

Popular Posts