Let's start with an early one: Claude Monet 'The Beach at Saint-Addresse' 1867

I've never seen that one before. Does it pre-date the Rouen Cathedral and the haystacks?

Yes, Autumn, this one was painted about 20 years earlier. But I find it fresh and lovely.

Here's another early one: Claude Monet 'Garden at Sainte-Addresse' 1867 98cm x 130cm

This one always makes it into the calendar (for a good reason).

Another early one, and one of my favourite Monet paintings: Claude Monet 'Madame Gaudibert' 1868

This is *not* on my list of favorite Monets. It looks out of focus, like a snapshot that was on the list not to print. No offense, Riette, it just doesn't light me up.

It's just a bad photograph!

Must be, out of focus. Doesn't do the original justice. Did you hear Mona Lisa's getting her own room at the Louvre and they aren't going to clean her up?

Oh, we just have different tastes, Terry - that doesn't bother me one bit. NO!! They're not going to clean her up?? That may be wise. I once saw a programme on TV where an expert art renovator said that, no matter how experienced the people who do it, there is always a change that the piece will be renovated beyond repair, so to speak. Meaning, you touch it, and the whole thing just starts to peel, and literally has to be pieced back together again - perhaps it's best if they just leave her to decay slowly, but naturally. There's something not quite right about the idea of famous painting in bits on the floor, then being pasted back onto the original canvas/panel , and painted anew - a bit like a woman having plastic surgery to avoid, well, also decay. It looks pretty afterwards - too pretty to be real. You know it can't be the real thing - and you lose apppreciation.

i think they should leave her as she is...

The yellow overcast is going to stay. They theorize this is the way it was orginally, a rich yellowish color as oppossed to a fleshy look.

This really shows what a master he is at texture. You can see every crinkle in that taffeta gown.

That's what I find great about it too, Autumn. Terry, see if you like this one better: Claude Monet 'Magpie' 1868-69

Not too many wintry scenes attributed to Monet! The magpie itself is almost an afterthought. The perfect winter morning.

Very pretty, isn't it?

i like the whole picture with the little bird just sitting there. it adds a charming touch, don't you think?

Yes, it does. Despite its theme I find it a very warm sort of picture.

Here's something a little different. Claude Monet 'Fishing Boats leaving the Harbour' 1874 60cm x 101cm

I wonder where that one was painted--do you know, Riette? One of the ports on the Normandy coast?

It was painted at Le Havre, Autumn.

(*smugly*) I knew it! We took a ferry there from Portsmouth once. Le Havre's former name was Le Havre-de-Grace, but was shortened in the 1800s (?) My town is Havre de Grace, named by the Marquis de Lafayette during the Revolutionary War who fought here, because it reminded him of the other. Fascinating, I'm sure. :-)

Oh, my Lord!!! �falling down on me knees in prayer!� And is it as stunning as on the picture?

Claude Monet 'La Promenade' 1875

i like this and looking up at her so the sky is nearly panoramic, very nice...

It's beautiful. One sees it quite alot, but I never tire of it.

Come and see for yourself, Riette...when is your trip to Boston? :-) I have notecards or a calendar or something with this one, destined to be a classic forever.

To Boston and to Austin!

Only to Austin, I'm afraid. My sister is going home soon, you see, and so we've decided that she would visit me for two weeks on her way there - more practical, you see. I'll try and get her to log-in while she's here; is there any way I can get her a different log-in name from me, even though we're going to be on the same computer, Terry? Only have Internet on this one. But Austin is still going to happen, as far as I know. Just let me know the date WELL in advance, because it will take me a month to get my visa. I'll ask Sonja to go look up the painting, though. What is the museum called, Autumn?

Of course she can have her own account! Send me her details and I'll set her up with a shell account. (name, address, phone no., login name and password). No problem!

Will do. Just want to ask her if that's alright by her.

Um, what museum? (*bewildered*)

I thought you said something about an art museum in Boston? Or did I get the wrong end of the stick?

there is an art museum here but i've never been. it's in the snobby section of town. we have something called the barnwell center which only artsy fartsy people go to all dressed up and stuff. there's a conservatory/atrium attached to it chock full of plants. love it. i went there in blue jeans and a t-shirt...they have group meetings there (like african violet society of america-which, btw, was the reason i was there), children's workshops, and art displays. it's all free to the public.

Is that Boston you're talking about? You're in Boston?! You've probably passed my sister on the street a hundred times, and didn't even notice! She works in a hospital in Boston.

Wow, maybe they'll meet for coffee! Wolf will get the "inside" scoop!

I think we are confused! I think Wolf is referring to her home town, New Orleans. I've never been to Boston, so it wasn't me who brought up the museum. Maybe someone will 'fess up in the Boston topic in Travel.

Oh. Oh well!

new orleans? have i alluded that as my hometown? no, much more north than that but definately not boston!!

Ha, ha, we're so f***ed up in here? Where the hell do you live, girl?

Shreveport/Bossier City

(didn't know she could throw her voice, didja?)

damn, thanks wer, you're good...ventriloquest is my other secret passion.....

oh and spelling was not the other one!

Hey, didja see that? I think I saw a dirty word in Autumn's response! Didja see it, Wer?

*smile*

Here's another early work of the brilliant artist to whom this topic is devoted. Claude Monet 'R�gate � Argenteuil' 1872

what a beautiful day that must've been-the water being so calm as to really get a good look at the boats' reflections...

Love it!!! The crisp white sails, the blue skies, the red tile roofs...

Yes, I find the colour beautifully harmonized and echoed in various places. And painting strong reflections is a clever way of doing water, I think. Often scenes with water without much reflection in them simply aren't convincing - but this is brilliant.