【Art & Design English-33】Claude Monet: Father of French Impressionist Painting | Mini Biography (克勞德莫內：法國印象派繪畫之父)

Claude Monet: Father of French Impressionist Painting | Mini Biography Claude Monet, was the ongoing master of the impressionists. Claude Monet was born on November 14, 1840 in Paris. His father was a grocery man and eventually opened a small bank and they were rather well off but the father was put off because his son wanted to be an artist. Monet's family moved to Lahavra Normandy, where he met landscape artist Eugene Buda who taught him to paint outdoors. Painting outdoors had been practiced by artists since before 1800, but these would be just sketches. What Monet did that was so different was he would actually produce a painting from start to finish entirely outdoors. He was in the military for about two years, and his aunt agreed that if he would actually enroll in a formal art institute that she would buy his way out of the service. The academy was teaching art in a tradition that had go that dated back to the renaissance and he believed that this tradition had become outdated. Within a very short period of time he resigned and went his own way. In 1865, Monet won acceptance at the salon, an annual art show in Paris, but Monet struggled financially. It was literally a case of survival from day to day. In 1867, Monet had a child with his model in Muse Camille Dancier. Camille gave birth to their first son John, he adored her. During his time in Paris, Monet formed friendships with other young painters such as Alfred Sisley, Paul Cezanne, and August Renoir. They call themselves the anonymous society of painters, sculptors, and printmakers etc. Suddenly you had a generation of young painters who wanted to paint everyday life. In 1874, the society had their first exhibition featuring Monet's painting impression sunrise. The critics and the public were just lost, it was truly a revolutionary change in subject matter, but then it went beyond that it became a revolutionary change in the actual technique of painting. One of the things that was so shocking about Monet's work was that it had these individual brush strokes and it didn't look finished, and so one critic said that they were just conveying an impression, and so we have to coin a new term impressionist. In 1878 Camille became ill during her second pregnancy. The story goes that monet was in the bedroom with camille on the day of her death. When she passed, he closed and locked the door and painted her portrait. Monet's fortunes continued to change for the better as his dealer Pon Duran Ruel had increasing success selling his paintings. He always wanted to be the artist who charged and received the most money for his work. As time went on, many of his colleagues moved away from impressionism but monet immersed himself in it further, producing a series of several studies of the same motif such as haystacks, and the poplar series. He was depicting them under different weather conditions, different lighting conditions, and it was a new way of looking at art instead of trying to show a new subject every time. In 1893, in the garden at his home in Giverny, Monet created the water lily pond that inspired his most celebrated works. I think that the crowning achievement of his career was the large water lily's. We're talking about water lily panels over six feet high and 20 to 25 feet wide. He wanted them presented basically in an oval shaped room, so that as a viewer would walk into the room they literally would be surrounded. Still painting in his late 80s, Monet died on December 5th, 1926, at the age of 86. What people should know about this man is that his entire life was focused on his work. Nothing else in his life came close, everything was predicated on his work. References (optional) Links 【Art & Design English- 02】What is Art For? 【Art & Design English - 07】Art Periods and Art Movements Discussion Questions (Art) How great is your interest in art? What’s the best art gallery you’ve been to? Do you like modern art? What do you think of installation art? Do you ever think a lot of art is not really art? Do you have a favorite artist? What kind of art do you like – paintings, sculpture, ceramics, etc.? What is art? Does art change the way you think or feel? Do you think anyone can be an artist or do you need a special talent? Do you think all children should study art at school? Do you think children should learn the history of art? Do you think a painting can really be worth a million (or more) dollars? Do you think today’s artists are as good as those from hundreds of years ago? What was the last painting/poster/piece of art you bought? Why did you buy it? Describe the pieces of artwork in your house. What kind of art is your country famous for? What kind of life do you think an artist’s is? Do you have any artistic talents? How would the world be different without artists? Discussion Questions (Design) How would you define design? How do you know if something is designed well? Do you think design is important? Why? Have you ever designed anything? What are some well-designed products? What are some poorly designed products? Are there any designers you admire? Have you done any interior design in your home? What are some examples of good design that you appreciate? Why? How does design influence our daily experiences and interactions with products and environments? Can you think of any iconic designs or designers that have made a significant impact on society? What are some key principles or elements of design? How does cultural and historical context influence design aesthetics? Can you describe a design project or process that you have been involved in or observed? How does user experience (UX) design contribute to the functionality and usability of products and services? What role does sustainability play in design? Share examples of environmentally conscious design practices. How can design be used to solve social and humanitarian challenges? What are some current trends in design that you find interesting? How does technology influence the field of design? Discuss the impact of digital tools and software. Can you think of any examples of design that have sparked controversy or provoked discussions? How can design be inclusive and accessible to people with diverse abilities and backgrounds? Can you share any examples of designs that evoke specific emotions or create a particular atmosphere? How does design differ across various disciplines, such as graphic design, industrial design, or interior design? What are some ethical considerations in design? Discuss the responsibility of designers towards users and society. Can you think of any design failures or instances where poor design affected the user experience? What lessons can be learned from them? How can design thinking be applied beyond traditional design fields to problem-solving and innovation? What skills and qualities do you think are essential for a successful career in design? How has technology influenced the field of graphic design in recent years? Can you think of any examples of design that successfully blend form and function? Explain why they are effective. How does cultural diversity influence design aesthetics and the portrayal of different cultures in design? What are some key considerations in designing user interfaces for mobile applications? Can you describe a design project that aims to address sustainability or environmental issues? How does typography contribute to the overall design and message of printed materials? What are some effective ways to gather user feedback during the design process? How can color psychology be utilized in design to evoke specific emotions or convey certain messages? Can you think of any examples where design played a crucial role in shaping a company’s brand identity? What are the main differences between designing for print media and designing for digital media? How can design be used to improve accessibility for individuals with disabilities? Can you describe a design trend that you find intriguing? Why do you think it has gained popularity? How does packaging design influence consumer perception and purchasing decisions? What ethical considerations should designers keep in mind when creating advertisements or marketing materials? How has social media influenced the field of design and the way designers showcase their work? Can you think of any innovative design solutions that have improved people’s lives in developing countries? What are some challenges in designing for virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) experiences? How does design impact the gaming industry, particularly in terms of user interface and user experience? Can you describe a famous architectural design that has become an iconic landmark? What makes it significant? How do cultural symbols and icons influence design choices, especially in international contexts? Discussion Questions (Art Culture) How often do you go to art museums? Do you consider yourself to be artistic? What do you think about modern art paintings? How many forms of art can you name? What is your favorite form of art? Is graffiti art? Why or why not? What is the most famous statue in your country? Who is your favorite artist? Why do you like them so much? Do you think that art is important to society? Why? Have you ever tried drawing, painting, sculpting, or something else artistic? What is the most famous painting in your country? What is traditional art like in your culture? What country do you think is the most creative? Why is art so expensive? Do you think it should be more, or less, expensive? Do you have any artistic friends? What kinds of art do they create?