THE DAILY GROTTO

FINE ART FRIDAY

Claude Oscar Monet(1840-1926)

"Gardening was something I learned from my youth when I was unhappy.  I perhaps owe having become a painter to flowers."- Claude Monet


Monet is one of my favorite artists; so much so that I named our pooch after him. When we brought our puppy home almost 5 years ago, I had just given a talk on Monet's life at my daughters school. The name stuck, plus it had a lovely ring to it. I didn't think Claude would mind if our Monet was a girl.

Claude Monet, was born and raised in France during the nineteenth century. His father was a Parisian grocer who was not opposed to his son being an artist; he just preferred that he be part of the family grocery business.  However, Monet preferred to be artist, and an artist he became.

As an Impressionist, Monet has a large body of work that one can choose to appreciate. I have featured some paintings from his life work. To learn more about Monet go to his biography.




   

Coquelicots ( Poppies)

1873-Musee d' Orsay, Paris

 

 

Monet's Garden at Vetheuil

1881-National Gallery of Art, Washington

Water-Lily Pond

1899-Art Museum Princeton University, New Jersey

 

The Esterel Mountains or Antibes

1888-Courtauld Institute of Art, London

Garden at Sainte Adresse

1867-Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

 

The Reader

1872-The Waters Art Museum, Baltimore

Which of Monet's above works do you favor?

 

FINE ART FRIDAY

MARY CASSATT (1844-1926)

Fridays will be now be FINE ART FRIDAY at the Daily Grotto. I was inspired by a new blogging friend Esther.

I have always had a love of art, which was nurtured often by my Aunt Patsy; who is also a talented artist living in New York. She would always encourage me to draw and paint as well as send me great art books.

My dad is also a wonderful artist who has painted many gorgeous dune scenes in his lifetime. He just turned eighty years old,and still loves to paint. A framed oil painting of the dunes by my dad is the most treasured work of art in our home. Seeing his work around the house always encouraged me to love art.

My mother would not consider herself an artist, but in her day she could whip up a fine pastel drawing or two. A spectacular framed Raggedy Andy is adorning the wall of my youngest daughter's room, and reflects the talent of this special woman. She also encouraged me to draw and paint; simply because she knew it was something that I loved to do.

My sister Debi was also instrumental in nurturing my love of art. She spent a good deal of time teaching me water color techniques, and helping me to touch up some of my paintings when I was in high school. She currently has a graphic art business.

I had a wonderful art teacher a few years ago named Line Tutwiler. She and her husband David are renowned for their artwork in Northwest Indiana and out east.  I have many fond memories of painting(oils) in her cozy studio on cold winter days listening to the Moody Blues.      

My paternal grandfather( and godfather) died when I was just eight years old. He was a very talented and successful architect who specialized in Catholic churches, convents, rectories, and schools. I truly came to appreciate his work only after my reversion to the Catholic church. He was brilliant, and I think that my love of art must have started with him.

I want to thank these wonderful individuals for inspiring me to love art. Is there anyone in your life that has been instrumental in your love of art?

I am not a brilliant art historian, just a mom who loves to look at art. I often share this love with my youngest daughter, Hannah's class- where I am an Art Docent.  This allows me to learn about some wonderful artists and talk to the class about some great works of art.

Mary Stevenson Cassatt was an American painter and printmaker. She defied women in the 19th century by pursuing a career as a professional artist. Most women back then did not pursue work outside the home.

A great deal of Mary Cassatt's work consists of images of women and children. I like that about her, and is why I chose some of her work to highlight today.

 

Mother About to Wash her Sleepy Baby
1880- Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Maternal Kiss

1897- Philadelphia Museum of Art

Children Playing on the Beach

1884-National Gallery of Art, Washington

Margot in Blue

1902-The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore, Md.

    

The Child's Bath

1893- The Art Institute

of Chicago 

Which is your favorite Cassatt?