MONET AND VAN GOGH PAINTING STUDY AND HISTORY

..............I have a profound love for the old artist, especially the impressionist.

One way to get a small glimpse into their world is to study the brush strokes in detail and

imitating one of their paintings. This gave me a better understanding, and much more respect for their work..............

 

 

 

"Waterlilies" by Claude Monet oil on canvas, Giverny, France 1919

 This is a reproduction painting by Marti Green August 2012

Oil on Canvas 20x40

 

Monet (1840-1926)

 

Monet found subjects in his immediate surroundings, as he painted the people and the places he knew best. His landscapes chart journeys around the north of France and London. Monet moved first to Argenteull, just fifteen minutes from Paris by train, then west to Vetheull, Poissy and finally to the more rural Giverny in 1883. His homes and gardens became gathering places for Manet and Renoir who often painted alongside of their host.

 

In the 1910's and 20's Monet focused almost exclusively on the picturesque water-lilly pond that he created on his property at Giverny.

His final series depicts the pond in a set of mural-sized canvases where abstract renderings of plant and water emerge from broad strokes of color and intricately built-up textures.

Shortly after Monet dies a wealthy and well-respected man at the age of eighty-six, the French government Installed his last water-lily series in specially constructed galleries at the Orangerie in Paris, where they remain today

 

*****A must to read....."Claude and Camille"  A novel of Monet by Stephanie Cowell. This book was published in 2010. What his life would have been like during the times.... I would have to say, the best historical fiction and incredibly well-crafted atmosphere. This book took me back to 1883... Well written... enjoy.

 

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Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890)

 

In 1880, at the age of 27, he decided to become an artist. He moved around, teaching himself to draw and paint. Van Vogh joined and met many artist including Degas, Toulouse-Lautref, Pissaro and Gaugin with who be became friends. His style changed significantly under the influence of Impressionism, becoming lighter and brighter. He painted a large number of self-portraits in the period.

 

In 1888, Van Gogh moved to Provence in southern France, where he painted his famous series "Sunflowers"

 

The Starry Night, painting depicts the view outside his sanitorium room window at Saint. Remy-de-Provence, located in southern France. At night althought is was painted from memory, during the day. It has been in the permament collectiom to the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

 

The movie I watched was Vincent & Theo, filmed in 1990. Story of Vincent Van Gogh and Theo was his brother.... Great bio of the life of  Vincent Van Gogh. 

"The Starry Night" Vincent Van Gogh oil on canvas-1889

 This is a reproduction painting by Marti Green June 2012

Acrylic on canvas -18x24