Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists: Claude Monet

Did you know that the folks who draw caricatures at flea markets and fairs owe a debt to Claude Monet? Indeed, some of the young Monet's earliest works were line drawings for hire--complete with exaggerated features. An animated version of the popular book, which introduces the French impressionist artist Monet to kids in a friendly and accessible way, the program shows children how blobs of paint (viewed close-up) turn into beautiful images when viewed from a distance as the viewer's eyes "mix and blend" the colors. While Monet and his "buddies" (among them Renoir) had trouble, initially, finding acceptance for their bright and cheery impressionist works (consisting of colors, shadow, and light) of images found in nature--at a time when almost photo-realistic paintings were the rage--their persistence eventually paid off. As an added plus, real photos of the paintings are presented as cutaways, and at video's end, viewers are provided with a list of each painting's current location. Also available in the series: Vincent Van Gogh. Recommended. Aud: E, I, P. (C. Block)