Claude Monet and his Garden in Giverny

Claude Monet, considered one of the most influential painters of the late nineteenth/early twentieth century was a pioneer of French Impressionist painting. Born on November 14, 1840, in Paris, Monet's life was marked by a deep passion for capturing the fleeting essence of nature through his art. His contributions not only revolutionized the course of art but also influenced generations of artists to come.

Though now one of the most celebrated artists in history, it wasn’t always the case. Much of his life was spent attempting to climb out of poverty, and even though in his later years he became wealthy and famous, for the first half of the twentieth century his considerable contribution to art was largely surpassed by the work of Picasso, George Braque, Henri Matisse and other avant garde artists of the time. It wasn’t until the advent of the abstract impressionist movement of the mid 20th century,through artists like Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, Willem de Koonig and Janet Sobel that his true influence was “re-discovered” and remains celebrated to this day.

Throughout his career, Monet was fascinated by the interplay of light and color in nature. Though also being a skilled portraitist,  he is best known for his “en plein air” paintings (the open air or outdoor painting) He famously painted series of works focusing on the same subject at different times of the day or under varying weather conditions, such as his iconic series of water lilies, haystacks, and Rouen Cathedral. These series showcased his mastery in capturing the ever-changing nuances of light and atmosphere, as well as his relentless pursuit of artistic experimentation. But perhaps his best known subject for his later works was also one of his greatest works of art -  Monet’s garden in the village of Giverny. 

Located in the picturesque countryside of Normandy, France, Monet’s garden is one of the most iconic and beloved gardens in the world. Monet first discovered Giverny in 1883 while traveling by train from Vernon to Gasny. Struck by the tranquil beauty of the village and its surroundings, he decided to settle there permanently. In 1883, he leased a house with a two-acre property.  Initially, the garden was modest, consisting of a simple flower garden and a small vegetable patch. However as Monet’s fame spread and his wealth grew, so too did the vision for the garden, inspired by his love of nature and his desire to create a living work of art. Inspired by many of the Japanese prints he owned and loved, he began to transform the landscape, adding ponds, bridges, pathways, and an array of flowers, trees, and shrubs.

Monet’s garden, waterlily pond and Japanese bridge - copyright Amani Lindsell

One of the most iconic features of Monet's garden is the water lily pond, which he created by diverting a nearby stream. He had purchased land from his neighbours to create the pond, and though some of them protested because they believed the plants would poison the waterways, Monet persisted. He carefully designed and created the pond by diverting water from the nearby stream Ru, part of the Epte river. He employed seven gardeners to tend to the grounds and the pond, incorporating Japanese-style footbridges and bamboo plantings to evoke a sense of harmony and tranquillity. The water lilies, with their floating blooms and shimmering reflections, became a central motif in many of Monet's later paintings.

Monet’s house and garden. Copyright Amani Lindsell

As Monet's fame grew, so did the reputation of his garden. Visitors from around the world including politicians and statesmen and other artists from as far as japan and America where his work had become extremely popular, flocked to Giverny to experience the beauty and serenity of the garden firsthand. Monet welcomed guests with open arms, often spending hours walking and conversing with them among the flowers.

After Monet passed away on December 5, 1926, the garden was left to his remaining son Michel, but as he was rarely in Giverny it was left to Blanche Hoschedé Monet, the daughter of his second wife Alice and the widow of his other son Jean Monet, to look after the garden and grounds with the assistance of the former head gardener. After Blanche died in 1947,the garden and house was left untended.

Michel Monet bequeathed the estate to the Académie des beaux-arts when he died in 1966. From 1977 onwards, Gérald Van der Kemp, then curator at the Palace of Versailles, played a key role in raising funds for the restoration of the neglected house and gardens, appealing to American donors through the "Versailles Foundation-Giverny Inc." Americans donated almost all of the $7million required for the project, which was completed over the next ten years.

Today Monet’s gardens are run by The Fondation Claude Monet, a not for profit organisation created in 1980 as the estate was declared public. In 2010 it received 530,000 visitors and was the second most visited sight in Normandy and receives visitors from April to November each year.

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