He also invented the idea of the series paintings, some of his better known include Haystacks, Poplar trees and the Rouen cathedral series; these sought to capture the effects of light at different times of the day and of the season, but always in an identical format.
Monet threw out the rule book. He was part of a revolutionary artistic movement which sought its inspiration in “open air” painting and turned its back on the hierarchy of approved academic subjects and techniques. Instead, he tackled everyday themes, the separated brushwork of pure colour, and the effect of light and light on shade. He also invented the idea of the series paintings, some of his better known include Haystacks, Poplar trees and the Rouen cathedral series; these sought to capture the effects of light at different times of the day and of the season, but always in an identical format. “The other painters would paint a house, a boat, and then they’re done. But me, I want to paint the air around the bridge, the house, the boat, the beauty of the air around where they are, and it’s nigh on impossible.”