River of Light

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River of Light: Monet's Impressions of the Seine Monet lived by the Seine for most of his life. Every house he rented was within walking distance of its banks, and many of his later paintings were made from the deck of a boat moored on its surface. Over the years the river was to become the recurring theme of his work. From his early years in the desolate landscapes of the Seine estuary, through the towns and villages in the peaceful countryside of the upper Seine, to his famous house at Giverny with its beautiful water garden, Monet discovered every aspect of this river's character, absorbing each in turn into his painting. He captured the life of the river with its many layers of colour and vibrant activity: the lively cages and bathing places; the bridges and riverside promenades of town and country; the flashing style of the river regattas; the soft movement and discreetly coloured shadows of grass and foliage along the riverbanks. This varied and inexhaustible subject matter inspired a lifetime's work. The Seine was not only Monet's preferred subject, it was the testing ground for his painting, where he first experimented in colour and design. Perhaps more than any other painter, Monet provided a new way of seeing which became common currency. The paintings of the river form a pattern through Monet's work which illuminates his art: a celebration of the painter's craft and of the ensuring fascination of his subject. Douglas Skeggs is Director of the New Academy of Art in Chelsea, London. He is a writer, broadcaster and painter. In his academic career he has lectured at art courses, societies and universities throughout England, and also in France, Belgium and Germany. He was writer and presenter of a BBC television documentary on Whistler and has advised on other arts features and television drama. He is also a painter with three one-man exhibitions to his credit.