Monet's Depictions of Rouen Cathedral Foreshadowed Abstract Art Development
The Study of Light and Time: Rouen Cathedral and the Journey Toward Abstraction
When you hear the words "Rouen Cathedral," chances are, you'll think about Claude Monet – a trailblazer of the Impressionist movement. But this famous painting series challenged Monet and sent waves throughout the art world, paving the way for Abstract Art.
The Power of the Color Palette
Monet's foray into capturing the same subject at different times of day to observe the shift in natural light wasn't new to him. In the late 1890s, he already created a collection of 15 canvases representing a group of haystacks in Giverny, painting them at different hours and seasons. Well received by the public, this series caught the attention of artist Wassily Kandinsky, who, after seeing the paintings in an exhibition in Moscow in 1895, deemed it the first abstract painting in history.
“Suddenly, for the first time, I saw a picture. I read in the catalog that it was a haystack, but I could not recognize it… I realized that there the object of the picture was missed...What I had perfectly present was the unsuspected – and until then hidden – the power of the palette...”
– Wassily Kandinsky
In the late 1860s, Monet started developing a style that diverged from traditional methods, focusing on loose brushwork, bold colors, and unconventional compositions. This interest in color, particularly its perception, led the artist to focus on the painted surface of his canvases. As the years passed, this concern became more critical, shaping his later works with smaller strokes, building layers of color on the canvas. These techniques marked significant steps toward abstraction.
Rouen Cathedral: A Stepping Stone to Abstraction
With the Rouen Cathedral series, Monet entered the realm of measuring time and its most consequent element, light. His fascination with the way light alters a subject dominated his artistic career.
“Once more I have undertaken things which are impossible to do; water with grasses waving in depths… It’s wonderful to see but it drives you mad to want to do it. But I am always trying things like that.”Claude Monet
This series delved deeper into abstraction by moving the subject matter away from the architectural grandeur of the cathedral, concentrating instead on the dynamic interplay of light. By adopting a near-by-viewpoint and eliminating perspective, the focus shifted to a more abstract interpretation of the scene, transforming the canvases into colorful celebrations.
Monet's Abstraction: A Precursor of Abstract Art
Unable to complete some paintings on-site, Monet returned to his studio to finish them based on his recollections, further developing the abstract element by employing his personal interpretation of light. This subjective nature questioned traditional school thought, pushing the boundaries of Impressionism and opening doors for further exploration in Abstract Art.
Edgar Degas, a contemporary of Monet, stood on the precipice of the Abstract Art movement as well, with his enigmatic works like "La Petite Fille."
The Abstract art movement that followed held many principles rooted in the rebellious and experimental nature of Impressionism, with artists like Monet breaking away from traditional rules and exploring new boundaries. Monet's works, particularly those in the Rouen Cathedral series, laid groundwork for future generations to experiment with color, light, and the abstract representation of reality.
This book delves deep into Claude Monet's artistic journey, examining his aesthetic concerns and drawing on extensive biographical information and analysis of his paintings. By presenting varied perspectives, it aims to reveal the mind and spirit of this exceptional artist, whose legacy continues to captivate and inspire art enthusiasts worldwide.
- Wassily Kandinsky, inspired by Monet's haystack series exhibited in Moscow in 1895, claimed it as the first abstract painting in history, attributing its power to the vivid color palette that eclipsed the object's representation.
- The Rouen Cathedral series by Monet laid the groundwork for Abstract Art by focusing on the dynamic interplay of light instead of architectural grandeur, transforming his canvases into colorful, abstract celebrations, thereby challenging traditional art perceptions.
