Camille (1879 Monet)

Monet painted his first wife on her death bed in 1879. She died young and after a long illness

even in the throes
of death
her last breath
imminent
he took his brushes
a pallette of pales
and a canvas
to capture her ashen
features
those dry lips half
parted
it was natural he
said
to paint her before
she departed
in hues of shroud like
mourning veils

Reviews

[emmajoygreen]

Your moving reflections on that superb painting are very like my birth family's remedy for death. Try, try and try to remember the beauty of life, the laughter shared.. rather than the tragedy of a person's pain and following> It's never easy but is more than likely, what the one gone from sight but not and never from heartm would have wanted, Tender thoughts and so typically you, Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thank yous Em. Hope all is good with you. I think he wanted a loving tribute to his wife. He wanted her memory preserved and it has been, all these years later. Long after his own demise. It is a beautiful painting, albeit a sad one.

Chris

[emmajoygreen]

Isn't that often the way: beauty and sadness walking hand in hand - plus, too often when love is involved. Remembering how our little mum felt when she lost the love of her life.

[Sami Khalil]

Sad in a way and happy in a way he preserved her forever in his work. You have shared your worthy appreciation of his art.
I love how you capture all that in a concise poem.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Sami. I think he painted a fine tribute to her. A loving thing to do. He wanted her remembered. All the best.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

He sure did. I googled it. You are welcome Chris...

[Betty Hermelee]

I love Monet as an artist, his soft brush strokes and lighted hues, I did not know that he painted his dying wife, but I am not surprised…..you really paint an excellent portrayal of how he felt while painting what probably was his last of his wife…. And you really captured this in your own poetic style. bravo!
Best to you Chris
B.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Betty for your thoughtful review. A tribute and an act of love in days when there were no cameras. His way of preserving her memory and it has lasted.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

You're very welcome dear friend!
Best, B

[Ken Simm.]

A beautiful poem of a beautiful painting. Wonderfully structured and painted with words.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Ken for your kind review. I appreciate your visit.

Chris

[willweb]

This poem really touches me and tells the tale of love and a greater appreciation of art than I believe most of us now a days have. This was gorgeous if written about a sombre occasion. I am sure it was meant as a celebration of her life.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks will. I was reading about his life story and his first wife Camille when I wrote this poem. No cameras in those days. I believe he wanted to capture her last days here. I was touched too when I saw the painting.

Chris

[Lorry]

Well, call me cynical (you're cynical), but maybe calling for a doctor would have been more beneficial. 😊
... But I get it and it is a lovely, if unusual sentiment, that in today's society I grasp but fail to understand. Maybe that's just every woman I've ever known, but most go into attack mode if you try taking a pic when they haven't done there makeup and are doing what Madonna says is best and vogueing their bits off. And that's not to mention the sneaky catching them coming out the shower with a non colour coordinated towel round their bits! 😊
... What was I talking about again? Oh yeah, painting your soon to be expired missus! I haven't seen the pic, but he must have loved her very much and as always, your words are a fitting tribute to the painter, who was probably never charged with being an accessory to her demise. 😊
Now, if you don't mind, I'll need to go fill up on cynicism levels. I feel a trip to the coffee shop to fume at all the complexly bearded hipster in order. 😊

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Lorry. You have almost written a book with your review of my little poem :) I thank you and for the smiles too. Yes most women these days would be aghast, that they might not be captured at their best:)) Camille was well past that here, but he loved her very much that is for certain. I found the reading of his story very moving. Have a good day up there over the border.

Chris

[Ruth Martz]

Monet, the master of beauty. Lovely In it’s sorrow 🌹🙏

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Ruth. Monet is a favourite of mine along with Turner.

Chris

[CD Campbell]

I like this very much. What can one possibly do when death of a loved one is imminent? I think Monet did what only he could do. He used his own language in the moment to say goodbye. Memorialize her in his soul with his talent on canvas. It seems kind of callous to common eye I think, to paint instead of holding the dying hand, but if my love was dying and I could have some type of inspiration to comfort her, you better believe I would write my heart out. Whisper every line in the ear before the end. LOl, sorry. Kinda went on a morose bent there.

Chris, your poem transported me to those last moments. I think the use of short line lengths raised the tension quite a bit. Looking over the whole, I like how you used the word "said" as a single line. It gives authority to Monet's words without using a direct quote of any kind. Wonderfully penned.

[Chris Shaw]

What a thoughtful review, CD. I always welcome your visits here and what you have to say. Many thank yous.

Chris

[Aura]

I know about Claude Monets Waterlilies paintings, but I've never heard about "Camille", I'll do a good search of it after, but you describe it so beautifully, it must be an extraordinary piece Thanks for sharing!

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Aura. I also like his water lily paintings very much and have a large print on my dining room wall. I also have other prints of his. He was a fantastic artist. Really appreciate your review.

Chris

[Aura]

I learned about Claude Monet in my Arts class, we took a good look at his water lily paintings, they are so beautiful!

[alanwgraham]

Well done Chris. You have used your own poetic skills to great effect to capture these sad moments. I must have a look at the actual painting.
Hope all is well.
Cheers,
Alan

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Alan for stopping by and leaving an encouraging review. Hope all is good with you and your family. All best wishes.

Chris