Did you know that Claude Monet had cataracts?

Claude Monet, one of the most important painters of the 19th and early 20th centuries, suffered from cataracts. For an artist, especially an Impressionist like Monet, even the slightest changes in light, color, and composition are crucial in the creation of their work. Although this disease affected him later in his career, Monet had to cope with the constant decline of his vision, which caused him great anxiety. The effects can be seen in some of his paintings. Let's explore what this condition is and how it impacted the life and work of the painter.

What are cataracts?

Cataracts are a condition that affects the eyes, causing blurred vision and a gradual loss of visual abilities. Today, cataracts are easily treatable with surgery. However, in Monet’s time, such surgeries were rare, complicated, and dangerous, due to the lack of certain scientific and medical advancements that are standard today.

When did Monet’s cataracts begin? 

It is estimated that Monet’s cataracts began to develop between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Initially, his vision was affected gradually, but over the years, it became more evident. Monet refused to undergo surgery for a long time.

What was the process like?

As the cataracts progressed, Monet experienced increasing frustration:

“I see blue, I don't see red or yellow anymore; this bothers me terribly because I know that these colors exist…”

The situation led him to label his paint tubes with the names of each color because he could no longer distinguish them by sight. In his works from that period, there is a noticeable evolution as the yellow and red tones become more intense due to his difficulty in identifying them on the canvas.

In 1923, Monet decided to undergo surgery, but only on one eye. The recovery was slow, and Monet claimed he never fully regained his vision. For this reason, he decided to leave the other eye untreated. During his recovery, it is known that the artist destroyed many of the works he had created while affected by cataracts.

It's an interesting story, don't you think? Share it with art lovers like you! 

References: