Quotes by the Impressionist Master Claude Monet

Claude Monet (14 November 1840 – 5 December 1926) is one of my all-time favorite artists. He was a figurehead of the impressionist movement who used vibrant colors and bold strokes.

In fact, the term impressionism in the painting world was derived from one of Claude Monet’s paintings named Impression, soleil levant (Impression, Sunrise). This painting was exhibited in 1874 in the first of the exhibitions headed by Monet and his associates. At the time, he was met with much criticism as many were more accustomed to the more traditional styles of painting.

Claude Monet, Impression, 1872
Claude Monet, Impression, 1872

Here are some Claude Monet quotes to give you an insight into his mindset:

“I must have flowers, always, and always.”

“Color is my daylong obsession, joy, and torment.”

“Every day I discover more and more beautiful things. It’s enough to drive one mad. I have such a desire to do everything, my head is bursting with it.”

“Everyone discusses my art and pretends to understand, as if it were necessary to understand, when it is simply necessary to love.”

“My garden is my most beautiful masterpiece.”

“I would like to paint the way a bird sings.”

“The more I live, the more I regret how little I know.”

“It’s on the strength of observation and reflection that one finds a way. So we must dig and delve unceasingly.”

“I’m not performing miracles, I’m using up and wasting a lot of paint…”

“The richness I achieve comes from nature, the source of my inspiration.”

“Everyday I discover more and more beautiful things. It’s enough to drive one mad. I have such a desire to do everything, my head is bursting with it.”

“What keeps my heart awake is colorful silence.”

“If the world really looks like that I will paint no more!”

“I can only draw what I see.”

“I get madder and madder on giving back what I feel.”

“Impression – I was certain of it. I was just telling myself that, since I was impressed, there had to be some impression in it … and what freedom, what ease of workmanship! Wallpaper in its embryonic state is more finished than that seascape.”

Here are some of Monet’s great paintings:

Claude Monet, Waterlilies, 1906
Claude Monet, Waterlilies, 1906
 Claude Monet, Flowered Riverbank, Argenteuil, 1877
Claude Monet, Flowered Riverbank, Argenteuil, 1877
 Claude Monet, Springtime, 1872
Claude Monet, Springtime, 1872

Want to Learn More?

You might be interested in my Painting Academy course. I’ll walk you through the time-tested fundamentals of painting. It’s perfect for absolute beginner to intermediate painters.

Thanks for Reading!

I appreciate you taking the time to read this post and I hope you found it helpful. Feel free to share it with friends.

Happy painting!

Dan Scott

Draw Paint Academy

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Dan Scott is the founder of Draw Paint Academy. He's a self-taught artist from Australia with a particular interest in landscape painting. Draw Paint Academy is run by Dan and his wife, Chontele, with the aim of helping you get the most out of the art life. You can read more on the About page.

3 comments on “Quotes by the Impressionist Master Claude Monet”

  1. My appreciation for Monet continues to grow with every viewing of his paintings. Thanks for sharing your observations. I like his quotes. They reveal how his journey through life influenced his thinking about the world. My favourite from the above quotes is ““If the world really looks like that I will paint no more!”.

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  2. Ik ben ook grote fan van Claude Monet.Hij inspireert mij geweldig. Wat een grote kunstenaar. Ik kan er veel van leren. Heel erg bedankt voor de kleurrijke uitleg. Ik kan ermee aan de slag.

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