Claude Monet

Above is a detail from the painting Monet Painting by John Singer Sargent.

Claude Monet (1840–1926) was a French painter and one of the leading figures of Impressionism. He became known for his desire to capture the changing effects of light and atmosphere, often painting the same subject at different times of day. His painting Impression, Sunrise gave its name to the Impressionist movement. Living for much of his life in Giverny, he created many famous series there, including the Water Lilies, which reflect his deep interest in nature and variations of color.