Why Are Monet and Manet Often Confused? Understanding Their Artistic Differences

Claude Monet and Édouard Manet are two renowned French artists who, despite sharing the same era and certain elements in their work, developed distinctly different artistic styles. Their similar names and their association with modern art in the 19th century have caused many to confuse them or think they were the same painter. However, their works and techniques present significant differences that set them apart in art history.

Short Biographies of Monet and Manet

Claude Monet (1840-1926) was a pioneer of Impressionism, an art movement that sought to capture the effects of light and color in nature. Born in Paris, Monet is best known for his landscape series, including Water Lilies and Rouen Cathedral, where he explored changes in light and atmosphere at different times of the day. His use of rapid brushstrokes and his focus on plein-air painting revolutionized Western art.

Édouard Manet (1832-1883) was a transitional figure between Realism and early modernism. Unlike Monet, Manet focused on urban scenes and human figures, breaking with the academic traditions of his time. His works like Olympia and Luncheon on the Grass were famous for their bold depictions of modern life and the use of nude figures in contemporary settings, which stirred controversy.

Artistic and Stylistic Differences Between Monet and Manet

Monet was characterized by his obsession with light and color. He used loose brushstrokes and layers of color to create the impression of movement in natural landscapes. His works rarely focused on human figures, instead aiming to convey the atmosphere of a place, as seen in Impression, Sunrise, and his Water Lilies series.

In contrast, Manet used more defined brushstrokes and stronger chiaroscuro, influenced by Renaissance masters. He focused on modern realism, using solid colors and clearly outlined figures. In works like A Bar at the Folies-Bergère and Portrait of Émile Zola, Manet played with perspective and urban settings, portraying modern life with a rawness that defied expectations.

Connection and Common Ground

Though their techniques differed, both artists shared a desire to challenge established art norms and portray reality in new ways. Manet, often considered a precursor to Impressionism, influenced Monet but never fully embraced the movement. Monet, on the other hand, wholeheartedly adopted Impressionism, dedicating his life to experimenting with colors and brushstrokes to capture the fleeting qualities of nature.

Monet painted mainly from nature, in his garden; his water lilies, his pond, and his bridge. Although his work was very varied, he is best remembered for his “Water Lilies Series”. In these paintings, you can appreciate the artist’s use of color and brushstrokes, very different from Manet’s.
Water Lilies, 1919, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

Conclusion: Much more than similar names

Knowing the difference between Monet and Manet not only helps to demystify the confusion of their names, but also to appreciate the diversity of 19th century painting and the contribution of these two French painters to art. I invite you to learn more about the work of these two extraordinary artists.
Who is your favorite between these two great artists? Share your opinion and tell us which style inspires you the most.