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The images of the seaside in Le Havre with the works of Claude’s youth set the scene for this journey to the heart of their relationship. In 1874, Claude Monet broke all the rules of academic painting and caused a scandal with his painting “Impression, soleil levant”. The same year, he produced the only portrait of his brother Léon.
Very elegant with his frock coat adorned with a watch chain and a pin, the large white collar of his upturned shirt, the knotted tie and the bowler hat, Léon appears as a man of temperament, who for more than sixty years has helped and supported his brother’s artistic career. His power and strength of character clearly make him an important man in his social life as well as in the place he occupies as patron and knowledgeable collector of Sisley, Pissarro and Renoir.
His support was essential for the young Impressionists whom he encouraged to par- ticipate in exhibitions and whose canvases he loved to show from his collection to his visitors, amateurs and art critics.
Following Léon, the Rouen industrialist François Depeaux will also collect hundreds of Impressionist works. Léon will buy all his paintings directly from the painters through his brother and will never go through the art dealer Paul Durand-Ruel.
Leon’s commitment was decisive in launching his brother’s career, this fraternal colla- boration is reminiscent of the unwavering attachment and unconditional support of the Van Gogh brothers in a less tormented version.
A very beautiful highlighting of the palette of the heart in its blood ties...
“Color is my daily obsession, my joy, my torment.” Claude Monet
Claude Monet - Anglais à la Moustache,
vers 1857 crayon sur papier gris avec rehauts de gouache, papier 24 x 16
Collection particulière