Two of the great artists were Claude Monet and Vincent Van Gogh. Though their art is not the same, there are some similarities that they both have in common.
Claude Monet is an impressionist artist, while Vincent Van Gogh is a post-impressionist. Despite their differences, they still have a lot in common with their artwork, and they are considered two of the greatest artists who would ever live.
Table of Contents
- Exploring Common Ground: Claude Monet and Vincent Van Gogh
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Questions
Exploring Common Ground: Claude Monet and Vincent Van Gogh
Claude Monet and Vincent Van Gogh are celebrated as two of the most influential figures in the art world, each renowned for their unique contributions. While Monet was a leading figure in the Impressionist movement and Van Gogh a pivotal Post-Impressionist artist, their works share several noteworthy similarities.
Despite the distinctions in their artistic styles and approaches, both artists have left an indelible mark on the history of art, and their legacies continue to be revered. This exploration delves into the commonalities that bridge their diverse yet equally remarkable artistic journeys.
Here are some of the similarities between Claude Monet and Vincent Van Gogh:
Monet and Van Gogh Both Rejected Realism
Both Monet and Van Gogh rejected the realism movement. Monet was said to go to the Louvre, and while the other artists were trying to copy the masters’ paintings, he would look out the window and paint what he saw.
Van Gogh’s painting Starry Night is an example of someone who painted a scene at night in how he saw the night in his mind and not how it was.
They are both painters who rejected the realism painting that was in vogue during their lifetime and instead painted art as they saw it.
Vincent Van Gogh pointed this out when he said:
“Paintings have a life of their own that derives from the painter’s soul.”
vincent Van Gogh
Monet and Van Gogh Both Painted En Plein Air
Vincent Van Gogh and Claude Monet painted En Plein Air or paintings outside. They would bring their canvas and paint outside to paint nature as they saw it.
With the painting outdoors, they both had a love for nature. Monet said this about nature:
“Eventually my eyes were open and I understood nature. I learned to love at the same time.”
Claude Monet
Monet and Van Gogh Both Used Light
Both Van Gogh and Monet understood light and its importance in their paintings. Monet was known to be obsessed with light. He would study light and how the light would pass on an object from sunrise to sunset. For him, light was an essential part of his paintings.
Van Gogh was known to worship the Provençal yellow sun, seen in many works of art. For him, the light was also important, especially the yellow sunlight.
In speaking of nature and its effect on him, Van Gogh said:
“I experience a period of frightening clarity in those moments when nature is so beautiful. I am no longer sure of myself, and the paintings appear as in a dream.”
Vincent Van Gogh
Japanese Woodblock Prints Influenced Monet and Van Gogh
The Japanese Woodblock print artists inspired both Monet and Van Gogh. They were both inspired by these artists who lived on another continent and another time.
At the Monet house in Giverny, you can find over 230 Japanese woodblock prints from Monet’s collection. Monet had a great love for these woodblock prints.
The Japanese woodblock prints also inspired Van Gogh. Van Gogh had some Japanese woodblock prints that he bought in Antwerp, and he pinned them onto the wall of his room. Van Gogh began to see these prints as a great example of art and found inspiration in them.
In a letter to his brother Theo, Vincent Van Gogh said this about the Japanese woodblock prints:
“And we wouldn’t be able to study Japanese art, it seems to me, without becoming much happier and more cheerful, and it makes us return to nature, despite our education and our work in a world of convention.”
Vincent Van Gogh
Monet and Van Gogh Both Influenced Other Artists
Monet and Van Gogh greatly influenced art movements and artists who followed them.
Monet is said to have influenced abstract expressionists like Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko. Monet influenced even Van Gogh in form and scale. Andy Warhol said many times that Monet influenced his art.
Van Gogh also influenced many other artists, including Henri Matisse and Paul Klee. Matisse was said to have a Van Gogh painting hanging in his home.
Van Gogh also directly influenced expressionism, Fauvism art movements, and early abstraction art.
The American Art Critic Jerry Saltz eloquently said this about Vincent Van Gogh:
“The Night Cafe’ and ‘The Starry Night’ still emit such pathos, density, and intensity that they send shivers down the spine. Whether Van Gogh thought in color or felt with his intellect, the radical color, dynamic distortion, heart, soul, and part-by-part structure in these paintings make him a bridge to a new vision and the vision itself.”
Jerry Saltz
Monet and Van Gogh’s Value Of Their Work Increased After Their Death
Van Gogh only sold one painting his entire life. All of his fame and success came after he had been dead for quite a while. To discover how his sister-in-law helped sell his art, you can read our blog, How Did Van Gogh’s Paintings Become Famous? By clicking here.
Monet saw some moderate success in his life. For a long time, he did not see success but later saw quite a bit of success.
Both these artists, Van Gogh and Monet, the value of their artwork increased dramatically after their death.
Vincent Van Gogh said it best when he said:
“Success is sometimes the outcome of a whole string of failures.”
Vincent Van Gogh
Claude Monet and Vincent Van Gogh are two great artists who have influenced art for the last century; their influence will continue to be felt for years to come. They will both go down as two of the greatest artists who ever lived.
Frequently Asked Questions
What artistic movement did Claude Monet and Vincent Van Gogh belong to?
Both Claude Monet and Vincent Van Gogh were associated with different art movements. Monet is known as an Impressionist, while Van Gogh is categorized as a Post-Impressionist. Explore how their styles reflect or deviate from these movements.
How did Monet and Van Gogh use color in their paintings?
Delve into the similarities in their color palettes and techniques. Both artists had unique ways of using color to convey emotion and atmosphere in their works.
What role did nature play in the works of Monet and Van Gogh?
Analyze how both artists drew inspiration from nature. Monet’s series of water lilies and Van Gogh’s depictions of landscapes showcase their shared appreciation for the natural world.
Did Monet and Van Gogh have common themes in their artwork?
Explore the recurring themes in their paintings, such as gardens, landscapes, and everyday scenes. Despite their distinct styles, identify the thematic elements that connect their bodies of work.
How did Monet and Van Gogh approach the concept of light in their paintings?
Discuss how both artists experimented with capturing light in their compositions. Monet’s emphasis on light effects and Van Gogh’s bold use of color to depict light and shadow are intriguing points of comparison.
What role did personal experiences play in the art of Monet and Van Gogh?
Examine how personal experiences and emotions influenced the artistic choices of Monet and Van Gogh. Their individual struggles and triumphs are reflected in the expressive nature of their paintings.
Did Monet and Van Gogh have any interactions or influence on each other’s work?
Investigate whether there are documented instances of Monet and Van Gogh influencing each other’s art. While they belonged to different periods, artistic communities often intersected, and artists sometimes inspired one another.
How did Monet and Van Gogh depict urban scenes in their art?
Compare their approaches to urban landscapes and scenes. Monet’s cityscapes and Van Gogh’s depictions of cafes and streets reveal interesting parallels in their interpretations of urban life.
What is the significance of brushstroke techniques in the works of Monet and Van Gogh?
Explore the distinctive brushstroke styles of Monet and Van Gogh. Both artists employed unique techniques that contributed to the overall aesthetic of their paintings. Compare and contrast their use of brushstrokes.
How did Monet and Van Gogh’s contributions impact the art world?
Assess the lasting influence of Monet and Van Gogh on subsequent art movements and generations of artists. Explore the ways in which their innovative approaches continue to shape the world of art.
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Related Questions
Why Is Van Gogh Considered Such a Great Artist?
Many things make Vincent Van Gogh unique and great as an artist. He had a great way to use color in his heart, but more than that, he was an artist who set and paved the way, and his brushstroke technique used color and his design ability. What is interesting about all this he did this as a self-taught artist.
By clicking here, you can discover more by reading Why Is Van Gogh Considered Such a Great Artist?
Claude Monet And His Art Work
Claude Monet was one of the more prolific and consistent Impressionism painters. He was a great believer in painting what was seen in nature and painting the changing light. He was an en Plein air painter. He is known for his strong and bold color and short brush strokes.
You can discover more by reading Claude Monet And His Art Work by clicking here.
