*The painting that is set as the featured image for this blog is a painting on the Monet family by Manet in 1874 entitled: “The Monet Family in Their Garden at Argenteuil”
Manet and Monet: Clearing Up the Confusion
My name is Max Guarnaccia and I’m a painter here in Houston, Texas. Some of my studio paintings can be seen here. I spend time in artistic circles here in Houston and not too long ago I was party to another conversation amongst a group of local artists confusing the great 19th century French masters Manet and Monet. And that’s what inspired this blog post. My intention is that after reading this you will never confuse the two artists ever again and will instead been confidently situated to identify the differences and similarities between these two great painters.
It’s easy to mix up Édouard Manet and Claude Monet. Their names sound nearly identical, and they both hail from Paris, share wealthy origins, and made monumental contributions to the art world. But despite these commonalities, their differences in style, influence, and philosophy make each of them uniquely brilliant. Let’s dive into what sets Manet and Monet apart, while appreciating their intertwined legacies.
Remembering Who Came First
A helpful tip to distinguish the two is by the order of their names in the alphabet. Manet, with an “A,” came before Monet, with an “O.” Born in 1832, Édouard Manet was the older of the two by eight years. Claude Monet, born in 1840, followed and even found inspiration in Manet’s groundbreaking approach.
Manet’s work often reflected realism, focusing on the human figure with a subdued color palette. He wasn’t as concerned with a dramatic outdoor light effect and vibrant hues as Monet, who became the quintessential Impressionist. Monet’s mastery of capturing fleeting light and outdoor scenes defined the Impressionist movement, which he helped solidify with his painting “Impression, Sunrise.”
The Pioneer of Realism: Édouard Manet
Manet bridged the gap between realism and modernism. He painted scenes of the everyday world but wasn’t fixated on creating illusions of three-dimensional space. Instead, he embraced a flattened perspective, loose brushwork, and unconventional compositions. One of his iconic pieces, “Luncheon on the Grass,” sparked both intrigue and controversy for its boldness in form and content.
What made Manet truly modern was his commitment to highlighting that a painting is just that—paint on a flat surface. He wasn’t trying to hide the brushstrokes or mimic a window into another world. This approach, combined with his innovative use of black outlines around figures, set the stage for future artistic movements.
The Impressionist Extraordinaire: Claude Monet
While Manet opened doors for future modernist painters, Monet took things a step further by stepping out of open doors and creating paintings en plein air, translated to: “out of doors”. Known for his outdoor paintings and vibrant color palette, Monet’s work embodies the spirit of Impressionism. He painted rapidly, using bold, visible brushstrokes to capture fleeting moments of light and shadow. His works often showcased natural scenes, such as his famous water lilies and the Japanese footbridge in his garden at Giverny.
Impressionism was initially a term of mockery, coined by a critic after viewing Monet’s “Impression, Sunrise.” But Monet and his fellow Impressionists embraced it, turning the movement into one of the most celebrated art forms. Unlike Manet, who avoided exhibiting with the Impressionists, Monet fully immersed himself in this artistic circle and stayed true to its principles throughout his long career.
Friends, Rivals, and Mutual Inspiration
Manet and Monet weren’t just contemporaries—they were friends and mutual sources of inspiration. They moved in the same artistic circles in 19th-century Paris and shared a rebellious streak against the strict traditions of the French art academies. Both faced rejection from the prestigious Salon, which only fueled their determination to forge their own paths.
Manet’s modernist techniques influenced Monet’s development as an artist, while Monet’s Impressionist pursuits reflected some of Manet’s experimental spirit. Despite these shared influences, their styles and goals remained distinct. Manet’s focus was on challenging societal norms through realism, while Monet sought to immerse viewers in the ephemeral beauty of nature.
A Tale of Two Careers
Tragically, Manet’s life was cut short in 1883 at the age of 51. Despite his relatively short career, he left a lasting mark on the art world with his innovative techniques and bold compositions. Monet, on the other hand, lived a long and prolific life, painting well into his 80s until his death in 1926.
onet created some of the most iconic paintings in art history, including the monumental water lily series, despite losing his sight. Critics often accuse late-Monet of becoming a caricature of himself in his later years, but it is important to recognize that he tackled his epically large water lily series while suffering from debilitating cataracts that significantly compromised his vision.
Appreciating Their Differences
Standing in front of a Manet painting, you’re likely to notice the subtlety of his palette and the almost sketch-like quality of his brushwork. His works remind you that art doesn’t have to replicate reality to be impactful. On the other hand, a Monet piece immerses you in a world of light and color, where every brushstroke seems to dance across the canvas. His art captures moments that feel alive, as though you’re stepping into the scene yourself.
Conclusion: Two Legends, One Legacy
Manet and Monet may be easy to confuse in name, but their art tells two very different stories. Manet pushed boundaries, challenging traditional norms with his modernist realism. Monet embraced the outdoors and the fleeting beauty of light, becoming the face of Impressionism. Together, they represent two sides of a transformative era in art history.
So next time you’re admiring a painting and wondering whether it’s Manet or Monet, remember—Manet’s “A” comes before Monet’s “O,” just like his revolutionary contributions came first. And if you’re in Houston, why not visit the Museum of Fine Arts to see their works in person? There’s no better way to appreciate their similarities and differences than standing before their masterpieces.
