The name Claude Monet is synonymous with images full of dappled sunlight and paintings that evoke the cheerful lightness of things. Monet was rigorously opposed to the academic tradition prevalent in France, preferring to capture fleeting impressions in a spontaneous style of plein-air painting which shows light in all its manifestations. This monograph includes paintings from all periods of the artist's life showing his early works painted in the forest at Fontainebleau as well as landscapes of his mature period with their bold brushwork, right up to his almost abstract later work. The paintings are divided into themes, journeys and scenes, highlighting the many facets of his oeuvre. Images of the Thames and of Rouen cathedral are included, as well as examples from the famous poppy field, haystack, and waterlilly series. Most of the paintings shown in more than 110 full-colour plates are the famous Monet scenes from Paris collections. However, these are supplemented by many rarely seen works from collections in Europe, America and Japan as well as three that have never been published before. . The book contains an introductory essay by Stephan Koja and commentaries on all the plates arranged in thematic groups. Copiously illustrated biographical notes on the artist and extracts from his letters complete this volume.