Sketchy Monet

By: Stephen Jermanok

April 2007

LONDON—While Claude Monet always downplayed the use of drawing in his working process, an exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts in London unveils the Impressionist master’s methodology. Organized by The Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, Massachusetts, “The Unknown Monet” (through June 10) presents many drawings from private collections, which are rarely, if ever, seen by the public.

James Ganz, curator of prints, drawings and photographs at the Clark, is particularly excited to display a group of pastels, many that Monet painted on the shores of Étretat in Normandy. “Looking into the subject, I was really surprised to find that there was no great source of information,” Ganz says. The exhibition, which contains nearly 100 works on paper, including more than 20 pastels and three dozen drawings, also allows visitors to “leaf through” Monet’s four sketchbooks, which have been digitally photographed and stored on a computer. “It’s a rare opportunity to be part of Monet’s thinking process as he prepares himself to paint,” Ganz says. The show travels to the Clark starting June 16. For more information, visit www.clarkart.edu and www.royalacademy.org.uk.