Paris and Northern France in 11 days
* Food
* Monet’s Garden
Food:
We grow our fruits and vegetables in the garden.
Fresh ingredients are key to fine cuisine.
We were curious how French food tasted like.
We figured French chefs carefully choose seasoning, pay attention to the cooking process, and show creative presentations.
Three examples in desserts.
All have contrast in shape and color.
A bird shape flies towards left upper corner.
This has an abstract design and sand art.
Monet’s Garden
The house is located about 50 miles east of Paris in Giverny.
He got the idea of a round bridge from wood block prints (Ukiyoe).
He built the Japanese bridge when he was 50.
He learned "en plein air" or paint outdoors from Boudin.
Claude Monet, b1840 - d1926 (aged 86)
He was credited as one of the driving forces of Impressionism in the mid 19th century.
Visiting his house and famed garden is a painter’s dream.
Light keeps changing, so one must work fast, thus quick brush strokes.
Would he have used a digital camera had he lived today?
A good question.
This 1880 painting by Monet (Petit Palais) stands out with a bright sun casting energy to the sky and the water.
The detail shots show how his brush strokes were made.
This is the center of the bush on the left side of the canvas.
To make a name in the art world, the work must be accepted by the Salon. Young Impressionists were all rejected because theirs did not appeal to the conservative Salon.
For example, Édouard Manet’s Le déjeuner sur l'herbe (The Luncheon on the Grass) 1863 was rejected.
The Economist, March 31, 2012 accepted this image to show Sarkozy/Hollande campaign.
Monet was involved in the garden design and flower selection to bring out the complimentary colors.
Reference:
“Monet’s Table” by Claire Joyes. Life of the Monet family is vividly described.
Monet and his wife Alice were socialites who invited many friends, artists, and more.
Many original recipes invite you to taste the Monet's Garden.
In 1923 he had his cataracts removed.
No, it wasn't a 15 minute outpatient surgery. After the surgery he saw more blues.
Can you see the differences between
photos (left) v. paintings right)?
Water lilies and a reflection of a willow, 1919
Water Lilies and the Japanese bridge, 1899
Ref: “Impressionists” BBC miniseries.
Richard Armitage plays as young Monet.
This brings back many Impressionists to life.