Claude Oscar Monet

To me, a hero is someone who never gives up on their dreams. That's exactly what my hero was capable of doing. Even though he went through a lot of things, he never really gave up on his dreams. To me, a good hero is someone who knows what they want to do in life and does everything to keep pursuing their dreams, and someone who does not give up on themselves. You must be wondering who my hero is or what he did to keep going in life. Well, my hero is Claude Oscar Monet.

Claude Oscar Monet was born November 14, 1840 in Paris. When he was five, the family moved to Le Havre on the coast of France. In the beginning, his art was primarily in the form of caricature. After a while he decided to paint landscapes instead, because of his mentor and teacher, Eugene Boudin. After a long time he started painting things outside. He wanted to capture light and shadows, which greatly defined some of his work. In 1859 he moved to Paris and enrolled in a Swiss Academy to study Atelier Suisse. He learned many things from that Academy and during his enrollment, he formed a friendship with Pissaro.

Claude joined the military in Algiers then returned to Le Havre and met Jongkind. In 1862 he entered the studio of Gleyre in Paris and there met Renoir, Sisley, and Bazille who had formed a nucleus of impressionist painters.

The next few years were filled with a series of blessings and tragedies. In 1867 his son, Jean Monet, was born while he was in Saint-Adresse. Suffering from severe depression, in 1868 Claude tried to commit suicide. In 1870 he married Camile and the family went to live in London when the Franco-Persian war began. In 1871 Monet's father died. In response, he delved deeper into his art and feverishly studied the work of Constable and Turner. Soon after, he focused on painting the Thames and London Parks. Claude then lived at Argenteuil, a village on the Seine, near Paris, then in Vetheuil, and finally in 1883 he settled in Giverny. By 1890 he was a successful painter and was able to buy a house in Giverny.

A few years later, Claude painted a series of pictures at different times of the day, and always of the same subject. To continue his intellectual and artistic growth, during 1891-1895 he travelled frequently, visiting London and Venice many times, and was even a guest of Queen Christina.

In 1899 his paintings on water lilies dominated all his artistic talents. A traveler at heart, in 1904 he went to Madrid and also admired paintings of other artists, particularly those of Velasquez.

But once again, tragedy seemed to overshadow his successes. In 1907 he began to experience problems with his eyesight. Alice, his beloved wife, died in 1911. Then in 1914, Jean Monet’s son died at the age of 47. Again delving into his art for comfort, two years later Claude decided to build a studio in Giverny. In that same year he donated twelve of his canvases. One of his best known paintings, “The Water Lilies,” was included in this group. Those paintings were installed in the museum of the Orangerie in Paris. By 1923 Claude was almost blind. He had an operation on the cataract in one eye, and his eyesight did improve, and he continued to paint. Sadly, this period of new found joy was short-lived, as soon after, Claude was diagnosed with lung cancer which caused his death on December 5th, 1926. He was buried in Giverny and his closest friends attended.

Claude Monet has inspired me to never give up on my dreams. I like that he was known as one of the founding fathers of French impressionism. Monet's paintings were infused with light, regardless of the subject matter. He never did leave his impressionist painting style until he died. Also, even though he traveled around the world, he continued to do what he loved most: painting. He inspires me because even though he experienced many ups and downs in his life, he continued to press forward. His determination and ceaseless will make me feel like nothing can stop someone from doing what they love; it’s up to each person to keep moving forward.