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Biography
Oscar-Claude Monet was born in Paris , France on November 14, 1840 . He was the second child born to Claude Adolphe and Louise-Justine Monet. When Claude was about five, the family moved from Paris to the small town of La Havre . His father's brother-in-law, Jacques Lacadre, owned successful wholesale business in La Havre. His wife, Marie-Jeanne Lecadre, convinced him to offer Claude's father a job. Claude Monet spent his childhood in La Havre. He first became known for his caricatures and exhibited this work locally. During this time, he befriended fellow artist Eugene Boudin who became his mentor. Boudin influenced Monet to begin plein air or outdoor painting. He also encouraged Claude to try oil paint and pastels, instead of charcoal as a medium for his artwork. Claude Monet completed his first painting in 1858 entitled View from Rouelles. In 1859 he moved to Paris to study painting. He attended the Academie Suisse, an informal place where artists met and models and material were available for use. This is where Monet met Camille Pissarro and began frequenting Brasserie des Martyrs, a favorite meeting place of artists and writers. In 1862, Monet enrolled for formal art instruction under Charles Gleyre. Frederic Bazille, Alfred Sisley, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir were also students of Gleyre. The group became friends and often painted together. The Bodmer Oak, Forest of Fontainebleau was painted with his new friends during this period. Monet and Bazille were also admirers of Delacroix and often visited the Louvre to admire his paintings. In 1867, Claude's first son Jean Monet was born to his companion Camille. Claude and Camille were married on June 26, 1870 . During the early years, money was scarce and the couple was forced to move several times. Monet had limited success in the acceptance of his paintings. The annual Salon jury set the standard for French artists at the time, and many of Monet's paintings were rejected. |
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