Claude Monet (1840–1926), known as the founder of Impressionism, is one of the most beloved painters of the 20th century. Felix Krämer presents Monet as preparing the way for the modern, as the first “contemporary artist.” He conveys the particular fascination that his paintings inspire through their ability to capture a transitory moment with virtuosity, but also an incredible effortlessness. This book offers a concise overview of Monet’s life and work and also puts into perspective the influence his oeuvre had on the generations of artists who followed him. Felix Krämer is the collection curator of modern art at the Städel Museum in Frankfurt.