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Monet
Hardcover, 8.3 x 10.2 in., 1.34 lb, 96 pages20Availability: February 1, 2024Explore the incomparable reach of the most beloved of impressionist masters, Claude Monet. Working en plein air, Monet’s dappled renderings of the reality taking place “between the motif and the artist” emphasized the ephemeral moment and with it became eternal markers of burgeoning modernism.

Monet
20Master of the Sublime
The quintessential Impressionist
Hailed the “Prince of the Impressionists”, Claude Monet (1840-1926) transformed expectations for the purpose of paint on canvas. Defying the precedent of centuries, Monet did not seek to render only reality, but the act of perception itself. Working “en plein air” with rapid, impetuous brush strokes, he interrogated the play of light on the hues, patterns, and contours and the way in which these visual impressions fall upon the eye.
Monet's interest in this space “between the motif and the artist” encompassed too the ephemeral nature of each image we see. In his beloved water lily series, as well as in paintings of poplars, grain stacks, and the Rouen cathedral, he returned to the same motif in different seasons, different weather conditions, and at different times of the day, to explore the constant mutability of our visual environment.
This book offers the essential introduction to an artist whose works simultaneously reflected upon the purpose of a picture and the passage of time, and in so doing transformed irrevocably the story of art.
Monet's interest in this space “between the motif and the artist” encompassed too the ephemeral nature of each image we see. In his beloved water lily series, as well as in paintings of poplars, grain stacks, and the Rouen cathedral, he returned to the same motif in different seasons, different weather conditions, and at different times of the day, to explore the constant mutability of our visual environment.
This book offers the essential introduction to an artist whose works simultaneously reflected upon the purpose of a picture and the passage of time, and in so doing transformed irrevocably the story of art.
The author
Christoph Heinrich studied art history, theater, and German literature in Vienna and Munich, receiving his doctorate for his work on the changing concept of the monument in contemporary art. From 1994 till 2007, he was employed at the Hamburger Kunsthalle, where he was appointed curator of the Galerie der Gegenwart in 1997. Since 2007, Heinrich has been working as the Modern and Contemporary art curator at the Denver Art Museum. He is the author of numerous books and articles on 20th-century and contemporary art.
Monet
Hardcover, 21 x 26 cm, 0.61 kg, 96 pagesISBN 978-3-8365-0398-3
Edition: FrenchISBN 978-3-8365-0399-0
Edition: EnglishDownload product images here
Born back in 1985, the Basic Art Series has evolved into the best-selling art book collection ever published. Each book in TASCHEN’s Basic Art series features:
a detailed chronological summary of the life and oeuvre of the artist, covering his or her cultural and historical importance
a concise biography
approximately 100 illustrations with explanatory captions
5
Great book
February 5, 2022
Great book with nice historical context and paintings matchedHere's Monet!
November 6, 2021
This little series of books might not be the pièce de résistance of your collection, but it can be a great source of knowledge and overview of an artist's life. I highly recommend the whole collection to any artist, art admirer or simply curious readers.5 Stars
October 27, 2021
I’ve wanted Taschen books for a long time and it didn’t disappoint! Such great quality with well written information about the artists. I am definitely expanding my collection.