Masterpieces in the Spotlight: Famous Monet Paintings That Will Leave You Breathless

Born in Paris in the 19th century, Claude Oscar Monet became the founder of the French impressionist painting movement. Impressionism is characterised by the use of bright colours and thick brush strokes in paintings that depict the outdoors. 

Monet’s devotion to his art made him perhaps the most famous impressionist of all time, leaving him a legacy with multiple iconic paintings. He found sources of inspiration in daily life and depicted natural objects with bustling colours unlike no other.

 

 

Monet's paintings captured colour changes in nature and nuances of various landscapes with loose brush strokes. The subject of Monet’s paintings embodied his reflections on the wonders of nature. He got a lot of inspiration from his daily life and family. Today, famous Monet paintings are exhibited across the world.

 

Famous Monet Paintings

Many of Monet’s paintings have influenced artists through his unique vision of blending realism with bright colours and lights. He gained great popularity towards the end of the 20th century, known for his famous watercolour paintings such as Water Lillies, Impression Sunrise, Lady in the Garden and Woman with a Parasol.

 

 

Monet got a lot of inspiration from his family life. He painted several portraits of his wife, Camille Monet, which gave birth to some of his most famous artworks, such as Woman with a Parasol and The Woman in the Green Dress.  Other prominent works of Monet were influenced by the beauty of nature and gave birth to famous Monet flower paintings.

Below, you can find detailed information on some of the most famous Monet paintings:

 

 

Water Lillies

Water Lillies is a collection that includes 250 paintings. Monet’s paintings of water lilies were done during his stay in Giverny, France. The majority of these paintings were completed during the last years of his life. Today, his paintings from the series of Water Lilies can be found all over the world in various art galleries.

Water Lillies are among the most famous Monet paintings of all time. Monet observed the lily pond in his garden and reflected on his impressions with fascinating details. He reviewed and reworked his paintings repeatedly. As he was going through unbearable losses with the death of his second wife and son, he devoted himself to his series of Water Lillies. 

 

 

Impression Sunrise

Impression Sunrise is a very influential piece of work by Claude Monet. It is the painting that gave rise to the impressionist movement in the 1870s. Monet painted his impressions of the sunrise at the port of his hometown, Le Havre. During his visit to Le Havre in 1872, he worked on a series of paintings that created depictions of the port under multiple time points and from different angles.

The main subject of Monet's paintings was often natural landscapes. The scenic view in Impression Sunrise reflects the artistic style of Monet. He expresses his individuality with loose brush strokes in this artwork. Such expression was the inaugural of impressionist movements in the wake of the industrial revolution in France. 

 

 

Women in the Garden

A major source of inspiration for Monet was open-air paintings. Monet paintings were frequently created with a special technique called ‘en plein air,’ meaning “in the open air.” Thus, he often did outdoor paintings. To paint Women in the Garden, Monet used the setting of his garden where he portrayed his wife, Camille Doncieux. She is depicted with other women who are in gorgeous dresses.

Women in the Garden (Femmes au Jardin) positioned Monet as one of the leaders of the impressionist movement even though he created this artwork at a very young age. Monet used a strong colour palette in this painting and captured the scene with vivid lighting.  Women in the Garden is currently exhibited at Musée d'Orsay in Paris.

 

 

Woman with a Parasol

Woman with a Parasol is another famous Monet painting that he completed outdoors. He painted his first wife and son strolling outside. Woman with a Parasol captures a vibrant scene with a blue sky, blossoming flowers, and blowing wind. His first wife, Camille, is portrayed in the middle of a stroll with her dress blown by the wind. 

Monet’s peculiar style and technique became prominent in this artwork. He used vibrant colour splashes and bold brush strokes. Woman with a Parasol is one of Monet’s most famous paintings. It has been regarded as a masterpiece that conveys the impression of a snapshot. Hence, it is a beautiful representation of Monet’s impressionism. 

 

 

Haystacks at Giverny 

Haystacks at Giverny is another collection of Monet’s paintings, where he worked on the same subject repeatedly. The artist produced 25 paintings depicting haystacks. Monet was living in a home in Giverny, France at the time. 

Monet depicts stacks of harvested barley in this series of canvases. He worked on the lighting under different weather conditions and across varying times of the day. He started his paintings in the summer of 1890 and kept working on them throughout various weather. Today, the paintings from the collection of Haystacks at Giverny can be found in museums and art galleries all around the world.

 

 

Camille Monet and a Child in the Artist’s Garden in Argenteuil

Monet spent several years in Argenteuil, where he produced his most important artworks. 

Camille Monet and a Child in the Artist's Garden in Argenteuil is among the most famous Monet paintings. He reflected on his domestic life, drawing inspiration from his family and friends. 

Camille Monet and a Child in the Artist's Garden in Argenteuil portrays a colourful and serene scene where the artist’s wife and child are enjoying their time in the garden. It creates a sense of joy and calmness on a sunny day.