“It is absurd to look for perfection.“ Camille Pissarro In this post, I take a closer look at his interesting life and art of Camille Pissarro. His work is colorful, adventurous, and played a pivotal role in the development and popularity of Impressionism. However, he is often overshadowed by fellow artist and friend, Claude Monet.…
A Closer Look at The Poppy Field by Claude Monet
“I must have flowers, always, and always.” Claude Monet In this post, I take a closer look at a pleasant landscape painting named The Poppy Field by Claude Monet. It depicts four people (probably including Monet’s wife and son) strolling through a poppy field at Argenteuil, Paris. Unlike many of the other paintings I write…
Édouard Manet – The Bridge Between Realism and Impressionism
Édouard Manet (1832-1883) was a French painter who bridged the gap between Realism and Impressionism. In this post, I take a closer look at his life and art. Édouard Manet, Boating, 1874 Key Facts Unlike many of his contemporaries, he was fortunate enough to be born into a wealthy family in Paris on 23 January 1832.…
A Closer Look at Bedroom in Arles by Vincent Van Gogh
In this post, I take a closer look at Bedroom in Arles by Vincent van Gogh—a colorful depiction of his bedroom, with an awkward perspective, and the typical van Gogh style. Vincent van Gogh, Bedroom in Arles, 1888 (First Version) Key Facts Here are some of the key facts about the painting: It depicts van Gogh’s…
Sir Winston Churchill – Painter and Prime Minister
Most people know Sir Winston Churchill for his role as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1940 to 1945. But few know that he was also an avid painter. In this post, I take a closer look at some of his paintings and his life in the arts. “Painting is a companion with whom…
Alfred Sisley – The Overshadowed Impressionist
I don’t write about Alfred Sisley as much as I should. Despite being one of the figureheads of Impressionism, he is overshadowed by some of his more famous contemporaries, such as Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. In light of this, I wrote this post about Sisley’s life and art. “Every picture shows a spot with…
Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers
In this post, I take a closer look at Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers series which he painted in Paris and Arles. The series highlights van Gogh’s progression in color and style. It also provides some interesting links between van Gogh and another famous artist, Paul Gauguin. Vincent van Gogh, Still Life: Vase with Fifteen Sunflowers, 1888…
A Closer Look at Impression, Sunrise by Claude Monet
In this post I take a closer look at one of my favorite paintings, Impression, Sunrise by Claude Monet – the painting which gave Impressionism its name. Claude Monet, Impression, Sunrise, 1872 Key Facts About Impression, Sunrise Impression, Sunrise was painted in 1872, when Monet was 32. It depicts the port of Le Havre in France,…
Mary Cassatt – Artist Spotlight
Mary Cassatt was an American painter and printmaker who became one of the most prominent members of the Impressionist group. She is best known for her artworks which depict the daily lives of women and the relationship between mothers and children. Cassatt was one of the very few women who managed to achieve critical and…
A Closer Look at “The Starry Night” by Vincent van Gogh
In this post I will be taking a closer look at “The Starry Night” by Vincent van Gogh, which he painted in 1889. With swirling lines and dramatic colors, this dreamy depiction is one of van Gogh’s most iconic works. “I don’t know anything with certainty, but seeing the stars makes me dream.” Vincent van Gogh…
