Monet: The Restless Vision

A magnificent new biography of the founder of Impressionism, Claude Monet, has been named the Art Book of the Year by several publications. Monet revolutionized painting and created some of the most iconic images in western art, despite being misunderstood and mocked at the beginning of his career. He emerged as the powerful leader of the new painting in Paris at one of its most exciting cultural moments, with his symphonic series of Haystacks, Poplars, and Rouen Cathedral bringing him wealth and renown. His work also responded intensely to outside cataclysms, such as the Dreyfus Affair and the First World War.

Format: Hardback
Length: 576 pages
Publication date: 12 October 2023
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

The Art Book of the Year, as acclaimed by The Times, Telegraph, Sunday Times, Financial Times, Economist, Tablet, and Evening Standard, has unveiled a magnificent new biography of the founder of Impressionism. Throughout a remarkable and exceptionally creative life, Claude Monet revolutionized painting, creating some of the most iconic images in Western art. Initially misunderstood and ridiculed, he bravely risked everything to pursue his unique vision. Despite facing near-starvation when he invented impressionism on the banks of the Seine in the 1860s-70s, he emerged as a powerful leader of the new painting in Paris during one of its most exhilarating cultural moments. His symphonic series, including Haystacks, Poplars, and Rouen Cathedral, brought him wealth and fame. However, he later retreated to paint solely the pond in his garden. The late Water Lilies, once overlooked during his lifetime, are now celebrated as pioneers of twentieth-century modernism. Behind this great and famous artist lies a complex, voracious, nervous yet reckless man, largely unknown. In her enthralling biography, Jackie Wullschläger delves into the turbulent private life of Monet, based on thousands of never-before translated letters and unpublished sources. This is the first account of Monet's tumultuous personal journey, which profoundly shaped his expressive, sensuous, and sensational painting. He was as obsessive in his love affairs as he was in his love of nature, and his art underwent three significant transformations when the woman at the center of his life changed. Overcoming devastating bereavements, he pushed the boundaries of painting inward, evoking memories and the passage of time. His work also responded intensely to external cataclysms, such as the Dreyfus Affair and the First World War. Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau was his closest friend, and rich intellectual currents connected them.

Weight: 1063g
Dimension: 240 x 162 x 40 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780241188309