1879--Camille on her Deathbed

I still can’t believe it. She was 32. What about Michel? Our son that was born just last year? I refuse to live in poverty for another second! We had to move in with our friends Ernest and Alice Hoschede. I owe my well-to-do artist friends money. Manet has been trying to convince us all to submit our paintings to the Salon because that’s where the commissions, prizes, and prestige is!

Ernest became bankrupt last year and fled to Holland, leaving Alice and their kids. Alice is a great woman. She offered to help raise Jean and Michel. They’re leaving me the house so I can work and she is taking the kids to her apartment in Paris for awhile.

I’m thinking about working on a series documenting the French countryside and how the light and weather affect the subject. I’m thinking…let me look out the window-------haystacks!

1893 Giverny---Hard Work Pays Off!!

Alice and I married last year. My series paintings are a great success. The work of Monet is famous! Impressionism is now widely accepted thanks to our revolutionary group! We have enough money to purchase my dream home, the surrounding buildings, and lands. I have so many plans, I can’t wait to start! I’m going to need at least 7 gardeners for what I have in mind…

Bird's Eye View of my land in Giverny

1915 Old Age

Alice died in 1911. My son Jean died in 1914. His wife Blanche has been taking care of me in my old age. Blanche is actually Alice’s daughter. Always been my favorite. Doctor says I have cataracts.

1925

The operation on my eyes in 1923 worked great! Had to re-do some paintings—you wouldn’t believe how many I added too much red and ultraviolet color to because of that terrible condition! End one problem another arises. Turns out I have lung cancer and I have about a year to live. I’m almost 86. It doesn’t get me down anymore. I have my lovely garden to sit and paint in. Just give me a simple funeral and I'll be happy.