Claude Monet sometimes became frustrated with his work and according to some reports, he destroyed several paintings (about 500 pieces of work). He would simply burn them, cut or kick the piece and this was due to his outbursts, as well as depression and self-doubt. This was shown more to his near late artwork such as, his mental wellbeing became more and more intense as he struggled to hide this.
His mental wellbeing was so bad that he attempted suicide a year after his first child was born and he would use painting as a distraction and although he would tend be frustrated on his work, he would use this as an escape from reality.
He wrote to a friend “Age and chagrin have worn me out. My life has been nothing but a failure, and all that’s left for me to do is to destroy my paintings before I disappear.” Although he still worked on his paintings until his end of life.
Monet also wrote “My only merit lies in having painted directly in front of nature, seeking to render my impressions of most fleeting effects”. Even though his mental wellbeing was affecting him, he would still see art in a form of inspiration. Reference: https://www.biography.com/artist/claude-monet
This was one Claude Monet’s last paintings of a collection, made between 1920-1922. While the paintings in the earlier series are more realistic in design.
The later works appear to be more swirls and loose strokes of colour, that made it less recognisable of the bridge. Reference: https://www.moma.org/collection/works/79254
Shana Callaghan 