Claude Monet: The Shimmer of Light. Why the Master of Impressionism was also a Tourism Developer, Influencer, and Trendsetter.

Who doesn't know the great French painter Claude Monet? And immediately, one thinks of Impressionism. But what exactly was that again?

At the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Rouen, Impressionism is described concisely and aptly:

"The artists, now called 'Impressionists,' dedicate themselves to observing fleeting light effects and transient impressions, the movement of water and atmosphere, as well as the plumes of smoke from factories, the bustle of ports, and artificial lighting. They depict the leisure activities of city dwellers and, beyond that, their contemporaries and everything commonly referred to as modern life.

Bold perspectives and compositions, along with a vibrant, clearly visible brushstroke, are, in short, the characteristics that define their paintings."

(Own translation)

One could add that artists now often painted outdoors. The colors – especially in landscapes – were clear and vibrant. They were placed side by side on the canvas rather than mixed on the palette beforehand. This created an immediate, fleeting impression for the viewer.

The focus was on the artist's feelings as well as those of the viewer. The regimented studio painting was contrasted with nature in all its manifestations and moods.

At the first Impressionist exhibition in 1874, which, like all subsequent exhibitions, took place outside the official Paris Salons, Monet's painting Impression, soleil levant (Impression - Sunrise, 1872) was shown. This painting prompted a journalist to sarcastically call the artists in the exhibition "Impressionists" – a name that eventually gave an entire art movement its title.

But how about viewing Monet not primarily in connection with Impressionism, but from three other perspectives: as a tourism developer, as an influencer, and as a trendsetter? A trip to Northern France this summer led to the "fleeting" idea of capturing the impressions gained.

The Artist as a Tourism Developer

That artists can create tourist attractions seems self-evident today. One only needs to think of the many museums to which art lovers from all over the world flock. In Monet's case, the Musée d'Orsay in Paris immediately comes to mind.

But it's not just the paintings themselves that are attractive. Homes, studios, and gardens also become cultural magnets. A particularly beautiful example is Giverny. This small village in Normandy owes its worldwide fame primarily to Claude Monet's house and gardens.

The famous gardens of Giverny appear like a living color palette. Many flowerbeds are arranged according to color harmonies and reflect the painter's preferences. In addition to the flower garden, the water garden was created with its Japanese bridge and lily ponds – motifs immortalized in numerous works by Monet. His famous Water Lilies series (‚Nymphéas‘) also originated here. Besides the paintings themselves, the gardens can be considered one of his great Gesamtkunstwerke.

The motifs in his paintings also contribute to the tourist appeal. A prime example is the Gothic Cathedral of Rouen, which Monet painted a total of 28 times under different light and weather conditions. One of these works, Portail de la Cathédrale de Rouen, temps gris (1892), is now housed in the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Rouen. Other versions are distributed among museums worldwide, such as La Cathédrale de Rouen, le Portail, effet du matin (1894), which hangs in the Fondation Beyeler in Basel.

Many of these cathedral paintings were created during his time in Giverny.

Claude Monet, Portail de la Cathédrale de Rouen, temps gris (1892)

Thus, artists not only shape art history. They also influence the cultural identity of places and contribute to the tourist appeal of entire regions – yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

The Artist as an Influencer

Every person is influenced by their environment. Artists are no exception.

In the house in Giverny, one encounters numerous Japanese woodblock prints. Today, mostly reproductions are displayed there, but the originals were once collected by Monet. Like many artists of his time, he was fascinated by Japanese Ukiyo-e art, depictions of the 'floating' or 'transient world.'

This enthusiasm for Japan is reflected not only in his paintings but also in the design of his garden. The famous Japanese bridge in the water garden is a visible testament to this inspiration.

Monet shared his passion for Japanese prints with many fellow artists, including Vincent van Gogh.

But influence works both ways. Monet, in turn, inspired numerous artists of subsequent generations.

I encountered an impressive example on the majestic Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy. There, the exhibition 'Radiance of Spring' by Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang was on display. As one learns, he also visited the gardens of Giverny. Their influence is palpable in his works – although he now uses different forms of expression than classical oil painting. He works with fire.

Cai Guo-Qiang, Bassin aux nymphéas, 2026

The picturesque Mont St. Michel ...

and the artistic impression by Cai Guo-Qiang

Cai Guo-Qiang works with highly individual processes, such as his famous Explosion Events or painting techniques where canvases are controlled burnt. This confirms an observation characteristic of contemporary art: today, art is often defined less by a common style than by the distinctive signature and technique of individual artists. I have reported on this on Facebook Artesoires.com.

 

The Artist as a Trendsetter

In the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Rouen, I encountered Monet's painting Vue Générale de Rouen (1892), which once hung in his house in Giverny.

Particularly fascinating is the manner of representation. The painting borders between figuration and abstraction. Abstraction already seems inherent, long before it was formulated as an independent art movement.

Other works by Monet, such as some versions of the motif Le Pont Japonais, also appear astonishingly modern today. In them, concrete representation increasingly recedes behind color, light, and mood (see Musée Marmottan Monet, Paris).

And didn't we speak of sensations at the beginning? This is precisely where a connection to later abstract art lies. Artists like Wassily Kandinsky saw opportunities in color and form to express inner sensations. Monet and his contemporaries paved this way by significantly expanding the freedom of pictorial representation.

By repeatedly depicting the same motif under different lighting conditions, Monet made it clear that there is no absolute color. The appearance of an object constantly changes – depending on light, atmosphere, and perspective.

Claude Monet, Vue Générale de Rouen (1892)

A look at Erwin Plönes

Finally, I would like to refer to Erwin Plönes, whose drawings form the basis for most of the accessories on Artesoires.com.

Many of his landscapes bear Impressionistic traits: bright colors, reflections of light, and a clearly visible brushstroke. Here too, the mood of a moment is often at the center.

Erwin Plönes

 

In Rouen, I finally enjoy a 'Thé des Impressionnistes'. A new Haikute comes to mind. If you don't know what a Haikute is, you'll find a brief explanation below.

Le soleil au thé vert
la verdure au plein air
c’est le cadre pour boire le bonheur.

(Haikute)

A Haiku is a Japanese three-liner with a total of 17 syllables. It is considered the shortest poetic form in world literature. The aim is to give shape to a fleeting moment with few words.

From my point of view, this provides a wonderful link to Impressionism.

A Haikute, on the other hand, is a three-liner by Ute that has no syllable requirements.

Example of a Haiku:

The water in the lake
Has slowly risen
Because of the summer rain

(Bashō, 1644–1694)

 

Have a wonderful summer!