5 on Friday – 5 by Claude Monet

If I look back, I think the first time I ever really began looking at art was as a student.  Like many students of the late 80’s early 90’s I had a Monet poster on my wall.  I probably bought it from either Athena (remember them) or the student union for not very much at all.  Since that first encounter I have always enjoyed impressionist art, the gentleness, the fluidity and of course the light and colours.  These days it’s probably not terribly trendy to admit to liking Monet, but hey when have I ever been trendy!  These are 5 Monet paintings that I always enjoy.

1.  Woman with a Parasol – Madame Monet and Her Son 1875

With summer in full swing, lots of  blue skies, sunshine, gentle breezes and the heavenly light that comes at this time of year I am especially drawn to this painting.

2.  The Houses of Parliament, Sunset, 1903I’ve had a view across the river Thames of the Houses of Parliament for the past 3 years from my office, and it’s such a beautiful building especially at sunset.

3. The Japanese Footbridge, 1899This painting has been reproduced so many times that it must  be one of Monet’s most enduring images and yet its one I still love.

4. Blue Water Lilies, 1916-1919Monet painted lots of water lilies and it was a water lily painting that adorned my student walls

5. Springtime, 1872I love this painting of Monet’s wife and muse Camille reading peaceably under the dappled shade of a tree.

If you are interested in Monet, I recommend you hop over to a website called Artsy.  I’ve only recently discovered this site. It  has a wonderful catalogue of Monet paintings as well as featuring  over 40,000 other artists.  If you can’t get to an art gallery this is a great way of viewing works of art housed in galleries all over the world; discovering new artists and discovering more about the artists you already know and love.

Have a fabulous and ‘artful’ weekend X