Monet's Blues

Cataracts and glasses seem to be a fact of life especially if you are over 40. Research is under way on eye drops that would dissolve the cataract, hence no surgery necessary. However, this potential treatment for humans would be years in the making. For artists the clouding of lenses and color changes makes for an inconvenience when creating artwork, to say the least.

Monet, (1840-1926), was not immune to cataracts, by 1912 he had them in both eyes, age 72. His eye sight grew progressively worse to where he could hardly see. He remarked in a letter (1922), “I’m hard at work. I want to paint everything before my sight is completely gone”.  In 1923 he under went surgery in three stages. After the surgery he experience cyanosis or blue vision. He wrote, “I continue to see green as yellow and all the rest is more or less blue”.

Here are a few of his paintings starting with the year 1914. Some are detail images.

Water Lilies, Monet, 1914-1917

Yellow Irises, Monet, 1914-1917
Water Lily Pond, Monet, 1917-1919
Water Lily Pond, Monet, 1917-1919

Water Lilies, Monet, 1919-1920
Wisteria, Monet 1919-1920
The Japanese Bridge, Monet, 1918-1924



Popular posts from this blog

Blue Period

Image
Blue Flow, Oil  16" X 20" Pablo Picasso had a a time between 1901 -1904 when he painted in monochrome blues and greens. I will go through a few paintings in a row when my palette is mainly cool or warm colors. This is one of those paintings in a series of 4 where I used a cool palette.  Rest assured that I am NOT depressed or going through a dark time in my life as Picasso did during his 'Blue Period'. Pablo Picasso,  The Old Guitarist,  1903, The Art Institute of Chicago
Read more

Leonardo da Vinci - Drawings of Inventions

Image
"Science is the observation of things possible, whether present or past. Prescience is the knowledge of things which may come to pass, though but slowly."  Leonardo da Vinci Leonardo - Cannon, Mortars, Light Ordinance Leonardo - Cannon Ball Sling Leonardo - Invention Drawing Leonardo - Invention Drawing Leonardo - Pinion Wheel Leonardo - Tempered Spring    
Read more

Leonardo da Vinci - Drawings

Image
"The noblest pleasure is the joy of understanding." – Leonardo da Vinic Leonardo da Vinci (April 15, 1452 – May 2, 1519) was the archetype of the Renaissance Man. His genius spans many interests employing methods unusual and pioneering during his time. He was born out of wedlock to an Italian couple in the region of Florence. His art education was under the Florentine painter, Verrocchio. During his working life he spent years in Milan, Rome, Bologna and Venice. The last years of his life were spent in France. Of course, there is much written about him and his accomplishments that seem to go on and on. How can one not be inspired by his art.    Below are a few samples of his rich drawings. 
Read more