Mrs Louis Joachim Gaudibert, born Marguerite Marcel (1846-1877), wife of a trader from Le Havre (canvas without frame)

Born in 1840, Claude Monet forged his artistic talent in Le Havre, painting natural landscapes in the open air. His career took a decisive turn in 1872 when he settled in Argenteuil, where he became a meeting point for major artists such as Renoir, Sisley, Manet, Pissarro and Caillebotte. The year 1874 marked a historic moment: at an alternative exhibition to the official Salon, he presented 'Impression, Rising Sun', the work that would give Impressionism its name. This new artistic movement, of which he became the undisputed leader, revolutionised art by focusing on capturing natural light rather than faithfully reproducing reality. His move to Giverny in 1883 ushered in a crucial period in his career, during which he devoted himself in particular to his famous water lily pond, the subject of twelve paintings produced over a decade. At last, at the age of 49, a retrospective exhibition at the Galerie Petit brought him unanimous critical acclaim.