Marcus Chen
Camille-Léonie Doncieux, the first wife of French painter Claude Monet, was the subject of numerous paintings by Monet, as well as Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Édouard Manet. She met Monet in Paris in 1865 and became his lover and favourite model, posing for many of his early paintings. One of the first paintings in which Monet painted the female figures after her was 'Luncheon on the Grass' (1865-66). Other early paintings of Camille include 'Women in a Garden' (1866), 'The Poppies' (1873), and 'Woman with a Parasol' (1875). Monet's last portrait of her on her deathbed in 1879 is considered one of his most moving paintings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Camille-Léonie Doncieux |
| Birth Date | 15 January 1847 |
| Death Date | 5 September 1879 |
| First Met Monet | March 1865 |
| Moved in with Monet | 1867 |
| Marriage Date | 28 June 1870 |
| Monet Paintings She Appeared In | Luncheon on the Grass (1865-66), Women in a Garden (1866), The Woman in the Green Dress (1867), The Poppies (1873), Woman with a Parasol (1875), Camille on Her Deathbed (1879) |
| Other Painters Who Painted Her | Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Édouard Manet |
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What You'll Learn
Luncheon on the Grass (1865-66)
Camille-Léonie Doncieux, born in 1847, first met Claude Monet in Paris in March 1865. She was around eighteen at the time, while Monet was a 25-year-old struggling to sell his paintings. Despite the initial disapproval of Monet's family, the couple lived together in poverty at the beginning of his career and got married in 1870. They had two sons, Jean, born in 1868, and Michel, born in 1877 or 1878.
Camille worked as an artist's model and became the subject of numerous paintings by Monet, as well as Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Édouard Manet. She is believed to have first appeared in Monet's painting "Luncheon on the Grass" (1865-66). This painting was inspired by Manet's work exhibited at the Salon des Refuses in 1863, which caused outrage due to its scandalous subject matter of a naked woman lunching with two clothed men. Monet's version of "Luncheon on the Grass" also included a nude female figure, believed to be Camille, and two clothed men enjoying a picnic in a natural setting. Unfortunately, the original painting was cut into fragments due to mould, and only two fragments are currently housed in the Musee d'Orsay.
"Luncheon on the Grass" is considered one of Monet's early iconic paintings, with Camille serving as his muse and consistent model throughout his career. She accompanied him on his painting excursions and was depicted by Manet in Monet's studio boat. Their relationship and her presence in his life and art continued even after the birth of their first child, despite the tension it caused with Monet's family.
Camille's health deteriorated after the birth of her second son, and she died in September 1879, leaving Monet devastated. Her cause of death has been attributed to cancer or complications following an abortion, including dyspepsia. Monet's final portrait of her on her deathbed is considered one of his most poignant and moving paintings, capturing the tenderness and love between the couple.
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Women in a Garden (1866)
Camille-Léonie Doncieux, born in 1847, first met Claude Monet in Paris in March 1865. She was around eighteen years old at the time, while Monet was twenty-five. The pair fell in love, and Camille left her family home to live with Monet, despite facing disownment from both their families due to their illicit relationship.
Camille posed for numerous paintings by Monet, as well as by other Impressionist painters such as Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Édouard Manet. She is believed to have appeared in at least 34 of Monet's paintings, including several iconic works from his early career. One of the first paintings in which Monet depicted a female figure after Camille was 'Luncheon on the Grass' (1865-66).
One of Monet's earliest paintings of Camille is 'Women in a Garden' (1866). This painting is believed to have been created around the time when the couple fled in the night to escape past-due bills. The painting depicts Camille in a garden setting, and it is one of several works from Monet's early career that feature the artist's muse.
In addition to 'Women in a Garden', Camille is known to have posed for several other paintings by Monet, including 'The Woman in the Green Dress' (also known as 'The Woman with a Green Dress'), 'The Poppies' (1873), and 'Woman with a Parasol' (1875). She also appeared in paintings by other artists, such as Edouard Manet's depiction of her in Monet’s studio boat.
Camille and Monet were eventually married in a civil ceremony on 28 June 1870, with painter Gustave Courbet serving as a witness. Their relationship was marked by financial struggles and health complications following the births of their children.
Camille's health continued to deteriorate, possibly due to a malpracticed abortion or cancer. She died on September 5, 1879, at the age of 32, leaving Monet devastated. Monet channelled his grief into his art, creating a poignant portrait of Camille on her deathbed in the same year. This final painting of his wife is considered one of Monet's most powerful and moving works, capturing the tenderness and unwavering love between the couple.
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The Poppies (1873)
Camille-Léonie Doncieux, born in 1847, first met Claude Monet in Paris in March 1865. She was around eighteen years old at the time, while Monet was twenty-five. Doncieux worked as an artist's model and soon became Monet's favourite model, lover, and eventually, his wife.
One of the first paintings in which Monet painted the female figures after Doncieux was 'Luncheon on the Grass' (1865-66). Doncieux also posed for several other paintings by Monet in his early career, including 'Women in a Garden' (1866), 'The Poppies' (1873), and 'Woman with a Parasol' (1875).
'The Poppies', painted in 1873, is one of Monet's early works featuring Doncieux. By this time, Doncieux and Monet had already been living together for several years and had a son, Jean, born in 1868. The painting is a testament to Monet's love for Doncieux, who was not just his wife and model but also his consistent companion on his painting excursions.
Doncieux's health began to deteriorate after the birth of their second son, Michel, in 1878. She died in September 1879, at the age of 32, leaving Monet devastated. Despite the challenges they faced, including financial difficulties and family disapproval, Monet and Doncieux shared a deep and enduring love. Monet channelled his grief into his art, creating powerful paintings like "Camille on Her Deathbed," which capture the tenderness and emotion between the couple.
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Woman with a Parasol (1875)
Camille-Léonie Doncieux, born in 1847, first met Claude Monet in Paris in 1865. She was Monet's first wife, and they married in 1870. She was also the only woman he consistently painted in his entire career. She posed for many of Monet's iconic paintings, including "Luncheon on the Grass" (1865-66), "Women in a Garden" (1866), "The Poppies" (1873), and "Woman with a Parasol" (1875).
"Woman with a Parasol" (1875) is an oil-on-canvas painting by Claude Monet. It is also known as "Madame Monet and Her Son" or "The Stroll" (French: La Promenade). The painting depicts Monet's wife, Camille, and their son, Jean, during the period they lived in Argenteuil (1871-1877). The painting captures a moment on a windy summer's day stroll, with Mrs Monet's veil and white dress billowing in the wind. The waving grass of the meadow is echoed by the green underside of her parasol. The painting is composed from a low perspective, looking up at the figures, with a strong upward perspective. The woman stands at the centre of the composition, holding a moss-green parasol over her head, which almost brushes the top edge of the canvas. Her body faces left, but she turns her head to look directly at the viewer. Her long dress is painted with strokes of pale blue, grey, and touches of yellow. Her voluminous skirts swirl around her legs. She holds the parasol with both hands, and her brown hair is covered with a hat. The tall grass she stands in is dotted with yellow and purple flowers, and she casts a long diagonal shadow. Monet's son Jean is placed further away, concealed behind a rise in the ground and visible only from the waist up, creating a sense of depth.
Monet's light, spontaneous brushwork in the painting creates splashes of vibrant colour. The painting is one of Monet's most recognisable and revered works and a well-known example of Impressionist art. It was one of 18 works by Monet exhibited at the second Impressionist exhibition in April 1876.
Sadly, Camille's health deteriorated after the birth of her second son, Michel, in 1878, and she died in September 1879, possibly of cancer. Monet’s last portrait of her on her deathbed is a poignant and personal painting, capturing the tenderness and love between them.
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Camille Monet on Her Deathbed (1879)
Camille was the first wife of French painter Claude Monet, with whom she had two sons. She was the subject of numerous paintings by Monet, as well as Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Édouard Manet. The couple first met in Paris in March 1865, and Camille became an important source of inspiration for Monet's early career. They lived together from 1867 but did not marry until 1870 due to financial constraints.
Camille's health began to deteriorate after the birth of her second son, Michel, in 1877 or 1878. Some sources attribute her declining health to a malpracticed abortion, while others suggest she had cancer. On August 31, 1879, a priest was called to administer the last rites and to religiously sanction their civil marriage. Five days later, on September 5, 1879, Camille died at the age of 32.
Monet's painting, "Camille Monet on Her Deathbed," captures the raw emotion of losing a loved one. It is a testament to the love and grief that Monet experienced during this difficult time. The painting is now housed in the Musée d’Orsay and stands as a powerful reminder of the couple's enduring love and the tragic end of Camille's life.
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Frequently asked questions
Camille Doncieux was the first wife of Claude Monet and the subject of many of his paintings.
Monet and Camille met in Paris in 1865. She was 18 at the time, and he was 25.
Monet and Camille's relationship was not approved of by Monet's family. They lived together in poverty at the beginning of his career and had two sons.
Camille posed for many of Monet's early paintings, including Luncheon on the Grass (1865-66), Women in a Garden (1866), The Poppies (1873), Woman with a Parasol (1875), and Woman in a Green Dress (1866). She also appeared in at least 34 of his paintings, including a posthumous painting of her on her deathbed in 1879.
Camille's health deteriorated after the birth of her second son in 1878, and she died in September 1879, possibly due to a malpracticed abortion or cancer. Monet channelled his grief into his painting, creating a poignant portrait of his wife on her deathbed.
