| Medium: oil Size: 10" x 14" Title: Monet |
|
Monet in the fall of 1894 asked me to attend a dinner party at his home in Giverny. Among those present were: Rodin, Mary Cassat, Gustave Geffroy, Octave Mirbeau, Maupassant, the Goncourt brothers, Clemenceau, Eiffel, and at least a dozen other people all prominent either in politics, the arts, or business. Monet was surprised when we saw me walk through the door, my hat in my hand, a little shy at seeing so many distinguished guests. His invitation had been sincere, but knowing me as he did, he didn't believe I'd take him up on it. He immediately came over to my side, shook my hand, put his arm on my shoulders and guided me among those present, introducing me as Paul Cezanne, painter, from Aix-en-Provence. Monet was the epitome of kindness in his desire to put me at ease, fearing some untoward incident might send me flying out of the door, terrified of a situation which seemed too much to deal with... |