An artist's world: Claude Monet

To walk in the footsteps of an artist is simply sublime! 

Yesterday, I did just that.  My friend, Carrie, suggested that we take this day trip offered by a local travel group to the quaint village of Giverny, France, home to the French Impressionist, Claude Monet.  I jumped at the opportunity.  I have a deep love for Impressionism, and Monet ranks among my favorite artists.  On two different trips to Paris, my family and I have toured the Musee d'Orangerie that houses eight of Monet's waterlilies.  It is a lovely museum that evokes pure tranquility and calmness. It is one of our favorite museums. So to visit Claude Monet's house and gardens seemed like a trip I did not want to miss.   Giverny is about a 4-1/2 hour bus ride from where I live in Belgium.  It is northwest of Paris in the region of Normandie. Here are some photos from the day in Giverny:

Quaint village of Giverny, France

Our 1st stop was to the Musee des Impressionnismes

We were able to see about 130 paintings, watercolors, and drawings of Paul Signac.  His inspiration was painting scenes of water and color.  Many of his paintings were from coastal towns such as St. Tropez, Mont St. Michel, Rotterdam, Marseille, and more.  He has an interesting style that makes the paint appear as small dots when close up. 

Looking out from the museum

An exhibition of Paul Signac

House along the main road of Giverny

Of course, it is called Rue Claude Monet

Our lunch spot at Les Nympheas

with Dahlia & Carrie

Claude Monet's House & Gardens

One wing of his house

The center portion of his home

In the next series, you will see Monet's Water Garden where he painted his famous water lily paintings:

“I am completely absorbed by my work. These landscapes of water and reflections have become an obsession. They are beyond the strength of an old man, and yet I am determined to set down what I feel. I have destroyed some…I have begun others over again…and I hope that something will come of so much effort.”
                                                                                                                                                              -Claude Monet

 

After seeing Claude Monet's house and gardens, I am in awe of the wonderful inspiration he had surrounding him.  What a lovely place to live!  Who wouldn't want to pick up a palette and spend a life in a garden such as this.  Ironically enough during our visit, we experienced sun, wind, rain & hail.  But even still, the day was PERFECT!