Claude Monet: Capturing the Ephemeral Light of Impressionism Born in Paris in 1840, Claude Monet’s journey to becoming one of the most influential figures in art history was far from a straightforward path. Initially raised in Le Havre, Normandy, his early life was shaped by a modest upbringing and a father who discouraged artistic pursuits. However, a pivotal encounter with Eugène Boudin around 1856 ignited within him a profound love for painting outdoors – *en plein air* – a practice that would fundamentally alter the course of art. This initial exposure to direct observation of nature bec…