Question

How did Monet’s work compare and contrast with that of the Barbizon painters?

Answer 1

Answer:

Claude Monet and artists of Barbizon school were all focused much on nature and human interaction with the landscape. Their differences lie in the manner of how nature is depicted. While Barbizon school’s idea was more to show realistic nature, Monet’s art belongs to the movement of Impressionism, and he was more focused on the movement and impression of nature, showing the changes and light in the specific manner of painting.

Explanation:

The Barbizon school was the painting movement in 19th century France. The school was centered around the painting of nature and landscape.

As such, it had a great connection and influence on the Impressionist movement. Claude Monet was one of the most famous Impressionists and, as others, based his work on the idea of painting every day and ordinary things, with the accent on nature. Monet has painted many works that depict landscapes, their changes over time, and changes the light makes. This Monet’s tendency to capture nature is the direct influence coming from Barbizon school.

However, Monet’s work is contrasting the works of other Barbizon pupils in the sense that he pained in a different manner and with a different idea. Barbizon painters leaned towards realism, trying to capture nature and represent it as it is. They also made sketches outside but would work on their paintings in the studio.

Monet’s art is focused more on the movement and light, both of the painting itself as well as nature. His work is not realistic, but capturing the essence and impression of nature. He also painted outside, directly watching and reproducing nature, a method which is called Plein air.