Born in Paris, Claude Monet became the central figure of the Impressionist movement, which sought to break away from the rigid standards of the traditional Salon. He famously initiated the first independent Impressionist exhibition in 1874, where his work Impression, Sunrise provided the movement with its name.

Monet is best known for his prolific series of landscapes and garden scenes, which emphasize the artist's perception of nature through loose brushwork and vibrant color palettes. His practice focused heavily on the effects of light and atmosphere, often returning to the same subjects at different times of day to document subtle environmental changes.

Today, Monet remains a cornerstone of major institutional collections worldwide. Recent programming, such as the 2027 exhibition schedule at Tate and new acquisitions at LACMA, continues to highlight his enduring influence on the history of modern art.