annieb123's review
4.0
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Monet: Itinerant of Light is a graphic novel biography of the great painter and visionary Claude Monet. He had such a difficult and often painful life and seen backward through our lens from the future, it's amazing that he managed as much productivity as he did. The book was written by artist/historian Salva Rubio and was released 1 Nov, 2017 from Papercutz.
There's a lot of straight historical fact in this biography of course, but it's the non-judgemental sensitively handled human aspects of a complex man and the people in his orbit which lifts this book from a straight biography to an illuminating glimpse into the past culture and society in which he lived and worked. I think for most of us who are not completely obsessed by something, it's difficult to understand even to a small degree the mindset of someone who is. One of the quotes, directly from Monet himself, referring to painting the deathbed scene of his beloved wife, Camille Doncieux struck me deeply.
Wow.
It is always fraught to use a visual medium to explain visual art. The illustrations in this biography are beautifully rendered by EFA and pay homage to (and mirror in many clever ways) the original subjects they depict. Many of the page setups are explained in the afterword: Monet’s Mirror: Behind the Canvas. These pages (about 15% of the total content) give the background and supporting information for the graphic novel and also include pictures and biographical info about the artists and models whose lives Monet touched in his long and productive life.
This is a beautifully written and illustrated and (so far as I am able to ascertain) unvarnished and accurate biography of Monet. 112 pages, hardcover and Kindle/comiXology versions.
Four stars
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher.
Monet: Itinerant of Light is a graphic novel biography of the great painter and visionary Claude Monet. He had such a difficult and often painful life and seen backward through our lens from the future, it's amazing that he managed as much productivity as he did. The book was written by artist/historian Salva Rubio and was released 1 Nov, 2017 from Papercutz.
There's a lot of straight historical fact in this biography of course, but it's the non-judgemental sensitively handled human aspects of a complex man and the people in his orbit which lifts this book from a straight biography to an illuminating glimpse into the past culture and society in which he lived and worked. I think for most of us who are not completely obsessed by something, it's difficult to understand even to a small degree the mindset of someone who is. One of the quotes, directly from Monet himself, referring to painting the deathbed scene of his beloved wife, Camille Doncieux struck me deeply.
“ You can’t imagine,” Monet replied to me, “how true everything you just said really is. It’s what obsesses me, torments me, and fills my days with joy. To such an extent that one day, having found myself at the bedside of a dead woman who had been and still was very dear to me, I caught myself, as I stared down at her tragic face, casually wondering about the pattern, about the gradual loss of color that death had brought to her lifeless features. Hues of blue, yellow, grey? That’s how low I had stooped. It’s a natural reflex to want to reproduce the last image of the one who has just left us forever. But before the idea came to paint the features I was so deeply attached to, my natural instinct was to react to color first, and my reflexes were leading me, in spite of myself, to subconscious rote behavior that swallows up my day-to-day life. Like a beast grinding at the mill. Feel sorry for me, my friend.” (Clemenceau, G. (2010) : Claude Monet “ intime ”, Parkstone Press International, New York, p. 24).
Wow.
It is always fraught to use a visual medium to explain visual art. The illustrations in this biography are beautifully rendered by EFA and pay homage to (and mirror in many clever ways) the original subjects they depict. Many of the page setups are explained in the afterword: Monet’s Mirror: Behind the Canvas. These pages (about 15% of the total content) give the background and supporting information for the graphic novel and also include pictures and biographical info about the artists and models whose lives Monet touched in his long and productive life.
This is a beautifully written and illustrated and (so far as I am able to ascertain) unvarnished and accurate biography of Monet. 112 pages, hardcover and Kindle/comiXology versions.
Four stars
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher.
heatherhira's review against another edition
3.0
I would call this graphic novel a good starting point in learning more about the artist as a man. By no means complete, the story focuses on a particular period of his life and takes some artistic license with timing so as to better follow through-lines of Monet's life and struggles. If this were a straight biography this would be more egregious but the changes are called out in both the foreword and the author's notes, think "inspired by a true story" as opposed to verbatim.
That said, not only were the illustrations quite effective in telling the story, the different art styles used in flashbacks and different period's in the artist's life were particularly well used. Those familiar with Monet's work will recognize paintings and settings, sometimes shifted slightly instead of being a direct copy from his work. This novel employs a first-person framed narrative, allowing for a more retrospective tone.
That said, not only were the illustrations quite effective in telling the story, the different art styles used in flashbacks and different period's in the artist's life were particularly well used. Those familiar with Monet's work will recognize paintings and settings, sometimes shifted slightly instead of being a direct copy from his work. This novel employs a first-person framed narrative, allowing for a more retrospective tone.
hereistheend's review against another edition
4.0
A biography in comics about Monet, both absolutely stunning and quite informative. I loved reading this.
avora's review
4.0
Beautifully illustrated graphic novel about Monet's personal and professional life. Would recommend for anyone interested in the artist and his artwork, but be forewarned - this does not paint him as a sympathetic character.
lini_pan's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
4.25
the_s_lightacademic's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
beth_francine's review against another edition
5.0
Such a blast of a read. Visually stunning, amazing story line and the perfect unique way of telling Monet's story with all his struggles and glories.
jemmania's review against another edition
5.0
Exciting & engaging tale of Claude Monet's early painting career & his quest to change the art world. Monet's great sin is pride; he destroys his family's lives and financial future all because he cannot forgive the salon for its great betrayal against him. This goes on for years & years before his dear friend, Renoir, puts his feet back on the ground with a reality check. The story has something we can all relate to, pride and its movement in our hearts is timeless.