Claude Monet

Monet's beautiful impressionist art brings light and fresh perspective to anyone who encounters it, now shown here in an accessible, gift edition with sprayed edges. Towards the end of his life and much inspired by Japanese water gardens, Monet spent a great deal of time in his beloved Giverny. Adorned with poppies, blue sage, dahlias and irises, the waters were disturbed only by bamboos and water lilies. His water garden was originally created to satisfy a need to be near water, and to provide a visual feast that could be enjoyed from his house. The pond was fed by the river Ru, and weeping willow and silver birch hung over its edges, caressing the fronds of the greenery and blossoms below. Its famous green wooden footbridge was built across the water and it became the central focus of many of his works. He said, 'It took me some time to understand my water lilies. I planted them for pleasure.' and so he began to work on what is probably the most famous series of paintings the world has ever seen. AUTHOR: Julian Beecroft (PhD) is a writer specializing in art and cultural history. He has written books on Monet, Renoir, Dali, Kahlo and Art Nouveau. He is also the author of Lost Cities and Secret Cities, as well as a guide to the culture and history of London. He has contributed to the Guardian, the Telegraph, 1843 and The London Magazine. 170 colour illustrations