Monday, April 12, 2010

Monet in...Venice! ENTER this Fabulous Art GIVEAWAY!!!

It’s been a fabulous week over at HFBRT with the Stephanie Cowell Event for Claude & Camille.

I absolutely loved this book 

 Monet was such an interesting chameleon type that I was completely fascinated and wanted to learn more. I did some research and found that he and I shared something in common (go figure!) I don’t mean the art thing (for sure he’s an inspiration to my artsy self...) but no, what I found out was that Monet loved Venice!

At about the age of 68, Monet and his second wife, Alice, visited Venice. He was reluctant at first, but then, wouldn’t you know it, he became completely enchanted with the place. He began to paint from his window and out from the piazzas and the canals as well- letting go of his fixation for water lilies (even if just for awhile).

Monet loved Venice and actually painted over 30 paintings while there. He stayed for about seven weeks and although he vowed to return, sadly, he never did. He loved the fact that Venice encompassed both water and monuments- what a perfect combination! As for the weather, Venice with its forever changing from rain to sun in the off seasons, blended in perfect synchrony with Monet’s unpredictable mood changes-an artist’s dream come true!

There is actually a book on this trip taken by the Monet couple: Philippe Piguet, Monet et Venise, published by Herscher. It’s based on a journal that Alice kept of their sojourn in Venice.
To read more please see this wonderful site containing more info:  Claude Monet in Venice
Now, I have even more reason to love my Serenissima. The next time I visit, I will seek out where Monet stayed and painted, for a glimpse on time, history and the passion of art.

Here are some paintings by Monet painted in Venice (taken from the Claude Monet in Venice site)

 Palazzo Da Mula

 San Giorgio Maggiore

The Doge Palace

Venice The Grand Canal


A photo of Claude and Alice in October 1908

In celebration of this wonderful artist, I am giving away a brand new, gorgeous book:
Monet, 25 Masterworks

 


Art Lovers this one is for you! This gorgeous 18 x 12" book contains the most beautiful prints of Monet's paintings- You'll love it, I'm sure.  I was so tempted to keep it for myself but then decided to share the love;)
PLEASE NOTE:  this is NOT the book on Monet in Venice (that's only what my article is about).  This is a wonderful book- strictly of 25 of his celebrated masterpieces in print.

To Enter (must be a follower), please leave a comment telling me who is your all-time favourite artist in history.
EXTRA Chance every time you tweet, facebook, blog about this and come back with the link

Canada & US only.  Winner Announced on Saturday, April 24th
Good Luck!

39 comments:

Svea Love said...

Wow, 30+ paintings in seven weeks! I love the painting of Palazzo Da Mula. Thanks for sharing this with us Lucy :)

Viola said...

Thank you very much, Ms.Lucy. The paintings are gorgeous and I love reading about Monet!

Did you know about your Over the Top award at my blog? Please visit and collect it.

BurtonReview said...

I love the photo of him with the birds. Awesome post Lucy. It is serendipitous that you found something so close to your heart (Venice) to blend the two topics together. Imagine if he had visited Venice earlier than age 68, and what a turn his paintings may have taken at an earlier time. His work is so fascinating also because of how prolific he was.
Your link to See my Review here is not linked up by the way.
Thanks for a great post, Lucy!

Kate the Book Buff said...

Monet and Van Gogh are my all time favorite artists. I would LOVE to win this book! (I'm a follower)

k8thebookbuff@yahoo.com

Arleigh said...

You don't have to enter me in the draw -- let someone else have the chance at it since I am not too into art. I love the fact that you found a Venice connection with Monet :) The paintings are wonderful!

Kirsten Steen said...

Hi Ms. Lucy~
Have you been to Giverny? I loved seeing the most famous pond and his studio and kitchen that look exactly the same as the pictures of him standing in them! Didn't know he loved Venice. Thanks for posting these paintings.
BTW, I still need to get your mailing info to send you your book!
Happy Week to you!

The Insouciant Sophisticate said...

My all-time favorite artist is Michelangelo although currently I've been really liking Monet and the Impressionists (not because of this book, something else). Please enter me in the giveaway!

Anonymous said...

Monet is my favorite artist, I love his colors and subjects. I would love to win this book

rosepedal60@gmail.com

Jennifer, A Self-Confessed Foodie said...

I adore Monet and I've recently developed an appreciation for Turner as well. I especially love Monet's water lilies paintings and the paintings he did in London!

jlsemon at gmail dot com

brokenteepee said...

I note another Michelangelo lover in the group. He is my passion.
thank you for this great giveaway as Monet, and Van Gogh are close seconds.
kaiminani at gmail dot com

brokenteepee said...

on my facebook
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pattyleonardwoodland?v=wall&story_fbid=104879182887842&ref=nf
thank you
kaiminani at gmail dot com

brokenteepee said...

tweeted
thank you
kaiminani at gmail dot com

Amy said...

Ooohhh, I love Raphael, and of course Monet. Can't wait to get my hands on this book! Thanks!

tiger_fan_1997@yahoo.com

vvb32 reads said...

LOL - love the pigeon on monet's head. and love the sound and sights of this book. my fave artist is vermeer.
vvb32 at yahoo.com

Dr. Bill (William L.) Smith said...

Wow!

Bill ;-)

billsmith2003 (at) gmail (dot) com

Hope you'll check out my book giveaway:
http://drbillsbookbazaar.blogspot.com/2010/04/book-giveaway-moonlight-falls.html

Lynn Irwin Stewart said...

My favorite would be Rosa Bonheur -- I have what is supposed to be an original engraving -- it has a letter of authenticity -- but I'm not an expert so I don't know!

I'm a follower and would love to be entered in the contest!

LIS859@gmail.com

Teddy Rose said...

My all time favorite artist is Monet! Honest, truly. I have the book Impressions of Light but I would love to add this book to my collection.

teddyr66 at yahoo dot com

JaneGS said...

I would love to have that gorgeous book--Monet in Venice, perfect. I have been reading about Venice a lot over the past year, and Monet has always been a favorite, maybe The Favorite, artist. Renoir is my other fave--just love the softness.

Lucie said...

Hello Lucy!

This is the first time for me to visit your blog. I found you on Book Blog Giveaways! What caught my eye first was your name (It's rare to find another Lucie/Lucy who is younger than 70! lol) Then when I saw what you had posted I just had to visit and enter! Your blog is just darling!
I have always loved Monet and impressionist art. Please enter me. Thank you so much.

Lucie said...

Ohh, I forgot to add my email addy.

lucieluvsca (at) yahoo (dot) com

I'm also following your blog :-)

JaneGS said...

http://twitter.com/JanetGS/statuses/12065557070

jagreensmith-at-yahoo.com

4everQueen said...

Fabulous giveaway! I have quite a few favorites for different reasons. For intance, I like Diego Rivera's and Frida's folklore paintings. I like Van Gogh's intense art style, and so my list goes on. BUT I totally like Monet's soft pastels and romantic scenes. They make dream and wish... (sigh)

~bella

Nunezbella at hotmail dotcom

Terése said...

I read a book about Monet when I was ten and since then he has been my favorite artist. I just love him and hope I win this give-away.

Martha Lawson said...

Monet of course!!

I would love to be entered to win this one.

I follow

mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

Esme said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Esme said...

Monet is my favorite artist-I have been to Giverney and many museums that have his work on display.

chocolateand croissants at yahoo dot com

Esme said...

cococroissants

http://enchantedbyjosephine.blogspot.com/2010/04/monet-invenice monet in venice

chocolate and croissants at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful Giveaway. I have found many paintings of his I have not seen before while poking around on the internet. It would be nice to have a book where I can look at them at my leisure.

librarypat AT comcast DOT net

brokenteepee said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/BrokenTeepee/status/12124919787
thank you
kaiminani at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

No need to enter me, but look at you having a connection with all of these great books/authors/characters that we read about! Wonderful post Lucy - I had not seen any of these works.

Roberta said...

How do you pick a favorite? I like Goya, Monet, Micheangelo, Van Gogh...and more...just too hard to choose. I am always amazed at what these artists could do with the materials that were available to them at the time...maybe that's our problem today...too much stuff...lol
Love the b&w photo of Money & his wife with the pigeons in Venice...I have a similar photo of my son in Venice and he is covered in pigeons...word to the wise...WEAR a hat when in the plaza if you don't pigeon poop on your head...because it will land on you for sure. I just threw away his hat and my scarf. Someday I hope to return and take DH :D
Great post Lucy and giveaway!

Roberta said...

Just added this contest link to my sidebar :D

http://con-tain-it.typepad.com

Roberta said...

Just posted this to facebook as well...yeah!

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/profile.php?ref=profile&id=1222723325

brokenteepee said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/BrokenTeepee/status/12250847526
thank you
kaiminani at gmail dot com

Lizzie said...

I love the paintings and I did not know he went to Venice. Very very cool Lucy, it is too funny that the bird is on his head. He is braver than me I would have screamed.

Bombtastic Belle said...

I love Van Gogh, I have several of his prints around our home.
eod_army_wife04(at)yahoo(dot)com

Stephanie Cowell said...

From the author about Monet in Venice: His then wife (Alice) said she was particularly glad to go to Venice or ANYWHERE so that she could get Claude away from his obsession with his Giverny gardens for a few days!

I love all the comments. I love a lot of artists. There is an amazing huge painting by Rosa Bonheur of horses in the Met Museum near my house. -- Stephanie

brokenteepee said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/BrokenTeepee/status/12492515179
thank you
kaiminani at gmail dot com

Alyce said...

I have to admit that my favorite artist is Monet, and that's actually what drew me to this post. :)

I follow this blog.

akreese (at) hotmail (dot) com