Friday, July 28, 2006

My Date With Monet

"People discuss my art and pretend to understand as if it were necessary to understand, when it's simply necessary to love."

-Claude Monet

Yesterday, I finally made it over to the,"Monet In Normandy," exhibit at the Legion of Honor, in San Francisco. I have to admit, while I have had a lifelong love for Impressionist art, and the works of Claude Monet in particular, I wasn't prepared for the amazing beauty I saw in that exhibit! I was stunned at the vibrancy, the colors were so alive, and the brush strokes of the master's that at times seemed almost manic in one work, would turn soft and ethereal in another. It would catch me off guard as I studied each one of the nearly 50 paintings in this exhibit, and a few that were on display another collection.

The sight of his actual brush strokes, sent chills up my spine. I was in the presence of love. Claude Monet loved the subjects he chose to paint, I know this absolutely, because of what care and passion was present. A little bit of his soul was on display with those amazing images. The beauty of "Water Lillies" was so stunning and mesmerizing that it actually brought tears to my eyes. For the first time I was able to see a small sampling of Monet's life's work, and at the end of the day, I left the museum with a new, and deeper, love and appreciation for his talents. That was something I never thought to be possible! Below are some of the works of Monet, and other pieces of art that especially touched me. Enjoy!


Also currently on display at the Legion of Honor...

"The Thinker" by Rodin

Guiseppe Antonio Guarneri del Gesu

English Worcester, ca. 1770-1772

Necklace, Cypriot, mid-5th century B.C.

"La Comtesse de Morel-Vinde & Her Daughter"

By Baron Franc-Pascal-Simon Gerard

"The Broken Pitcher" By William Adolphe Bouguereau

"Still Life with Skull, Leeks and Pitcher" By Pablo Picasso

"Mother and Child" By Pierre-August Renoir

"At The Milliner's" By Edouard Manet

"The Gorge at Varengeville" By Claude Monet

"Dorothy Spreckles Munn" By Salvadore Dali

"The Kiss" By Rodin

"Grand Canal Venice" By Claude Monet

The "Monet In Normandy" exhibit runs through September 17th of this year. If you live in northern California, please don't miss this amazing exhibit! Truly, it will be a day you will never forget! :)

-OndineMonet 7/27/06


6 comments:

Karen Funk Blocher said...

Okay, NOW I'm jealous. I thing The Broken Pitcher is my favorite or what you're showing us here, but I'd love t see the Rodin sculptures in person, and the Picasso, and...!

Globetrotter said...

You're lucky to have seen these gorgeous works firsthand. I love Monet and have tried to approach art from the same colorist viewpoint as Monet and the other Impressionists. (though I need to tone down those darned colors!)

I agree with Karen. The Broken Pitcher is absolutely enchanting! Now I must go check out the artist who has been unknown to me!

Maryanne

V said...

Ah, Carly. I`m almost as excited as you must have been! It really makes me smile to think of you gazing at the Master`s works.

Suzanne R said...

This entry made me want to go to the museum and see these great works for myself! It's not in the cards for me, of course, but thanks for taking me there with your pictures. I do think we fall in love with art and particular artists. I have, anyway.

Anonymous said...

Hello. Being that I was named after Claude Monet and the Mona Lisa I am glad you shared this entry about the artist himself. I really enjoy your blog and I am always glad to drop by. This is wonderful of you. I love all that you shared here. Take care.

paul said...

a beautiful post with lovely photography. I just linked to it.