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.

[Temperance]

Beautifully sad. Beautiful because of how you phrased your words and, that the painter wanted to capture her at that time. Sad because of the imminent demise. Another lovely poem Ms. Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Temp for adding your thoughts here. You are appreciated.


Chris

[W. Barrett Munn]

It’s hard to know what drives the genius but I would guess with Monet his art was the only way he knew to express his emotions. There seems to me a fine line between savant and people like Pablo and Claude.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks WBM for leaving your thoughts here. I don't know much at all about the characteristic of a savant in comparison to someone like Picasso. However I know a man who likely does so I will ask a friend.

Chris

[W. Barrett Munn]

Especially when it comes to artists like Cezanne (recluse), it almost seems they live at the very edge of autism with the singlemindedness of purpose.

[Patricia Wedel]

Passing to another Dimension surely must be Surreal ... the Pastel colors are soft and brushed with love... tenderly, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Pat. Yes soft pastel colours brushed with love. I felt the love there too. I appreciate your thoughtful responses.

Chris

[lightsong]

imminent?! Ok no doubt we are on the same wavelength! (You will know later :>). My dear Elegant Rose 🌹 in few carefully crafted words You did a masterpiece. to make it short is perfect, that's how it should be, like just a one breath, one moment, to capture it for eternity. He gave her the ultimate homage he knew how to did. Thank You for sharing this, somehow it seems You and I are sad these days... so here is a warm happy hug💕

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you petal for your thoughtful response. You are so appreciated. Pleased you like this one.
read moreThank you petal for your thoughtful response. You are so appreciated. Pleased you like this one.

Chris

[Chris Shaw]

Have one of these 🌹

[lightsong]

I catch You one of these 🌟 🤗

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I think there is beauty in human truth. And the truth is that diseases hit us and they take us early and deform us. Monet captured this in his painting of her....he painted the beauty when it was there, but the truth when it was not.
and obviously, he still found her beautiful for what she still had on the inside.
yes, an eerie work here...but "mourning veils worn like a shroud...."
this paints a different kind of picture in words...a very mournful one with strong words describing bland hues and Pallor.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you J. I found the painting beautiful. Perhaps I saw or felt what Monet did, but Camille is remembered. That was important to me. This poem has certainly raised some discussion.

Chris

[John the Baptist]

A writer writes, a painter paints, whatever the subject. Still, I think this one represents the extreme of this philosophy. I have to wonder what was going through his mind as he did this.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks John. I think he saw her beauty even in the throes of death. Who knows. I was quite captivated by the painting, wanted to say something about her and him.

Chris

[Kelly Scheppers]

I always wished I could paint and play the piano. I picked up the pen instead...

What a beautiful, engaging piece, Chris. It gave me chills like anything so beautiful does.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Kelly. I wanted to paint too and did for a while until poetry became more important. As for the piano, it's never too late to learn. I really appreciate your review and visit.

Chris

[Neville]

a monet has to do what a monet has to do .. or something like that .. I was intrigued to learn more having noticed the title in passing .. so glad I turned the page and drank these words in .. who say's theirs no monet in poetry ................. you just seriously proved em all wrong with this little belter Chris :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Neville. I have always been interested in art and particularly Monet. I have a couple of his in my own home. Not the originals I might add :) I found this painting beautiful in a macabre sort of way. Felt I had to say something about her and him.

Chris

[Alan S Jeeves]

Further:
This is an 'intellectual' poem Chris, intellectual in the sense that the reader should have some former knowledge of the subject, ie. a little about the life of Monet. We, as composers of this type of work hope that the reader will go on to learn more of the subject and to that end I say your write is an important work.
Alan again

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Alan, especially for adding all the background information to this piece. So pleased it has been worthy of such discussion.

Chris