My recent podcast episode on Claude Monet didn't go the way I expected it to go. I'm embarrassed to say, I had no idea that Claude Monet's art dealer, Paul Durand Ruel, saved his career and the impressionist painters of Europe.
This was a fascinating discovery for me, because it was so unexpected. My goal was to discuss the amazing 'Haystacks' series of paintings that Monet famously created in the 1890s.
But as I began reading the dozens of letters Monet wrote during his lifetime, I was absolutely mesmerized by his relationship with his longtime business partner and art dealer, Paul Durand Ruel.
Chapter 01Claude Monet and Paul Durand-Ruel
As I read the letters by Claude Monet, there was a clear time period when things were stressful, uncertain, and very concerning for Monet. This time was also incredibly stressful for many people as well, it was the mid-1880s, and an economic recession was sweeping much of the world.
So the letters from Claude Monet to Paul Durand Ruel during this time caught my eye, and I could no longer focus on the 'Haystacks.' I wanted to learn all about this relationship between artist, and art dealer. Monet and Durand Ruel.
Chapter 02The First Meeting
Their relationship goes back further than the 1880s, they met in 1871. It was in London, and Durand Ruel had just opened a gallery on New Bond Street. He was fleeing Paris to avoid the Prussian invasion of France.
Claude Monet had the same thoughts, and he was in London as well. It turns out, a painter by the name of Daubigny wandered into Paul Durand Ruel's art gallery in London one day, and declared to his art dealer friend that he brought with someone who would be great.
Daubigny told Durand Ruel, "This artist will be greater than all of us." And that artist with Daubigny that day was Claude Monet. So this is the first time Monet is introduced to Durand Ruel. A friendship was stuck that day, and they worked together ever since.
Chapter 03Art Dealer and Financial Backing
So, I learned a lot about the relationship between art dealer and artist back in the late 1800s. At least for this partnership, it was Claude Monet who was constantly running low on money to cover various expenses, and he would write letters to Durand Ruel requesting financial support.
Of course, Durand Ruel had a business interest in keeping Monet afloat. If Monet had no money to pay the bills, he wouldn't be able to focus on his paintings.
And that is exactly what Durand Ruel needed from Monet - more paintings so he could sell them. And this was the relationship that was accepted by both parties.
Chapter 04The 1880s
But things would get stressful, intense, and to the brink of collapse during the mid-1880s. Like we said, there was a global economic slowdown and recession around the world. France was suffering from bank failures, and a severe recession.
So when I decided to read every single letter Claude Monet ever wrote, I started to notice an alarming pattern in nearly every letter written to Paul Durand Ruel during this time.
He needed money. And sometimes he didn't just need money, he needed it quickly. Beginning in March of 1881, I arranged every letter Monet wrote to Durand Ruel in chronological order.
And the tone of the letters get considerably more desperate as they approach the year of 1886.
After 1886, I didn't notice very many requests for money from Monet. So what happened?
Chapter 05Paul Durand Ruel Saves Impressionism
What happened exactly was that in 1886, Paul Durand Ruel was invited to arrange a gallery of artwork in New York City. The exhibition featured impressionist painters from Europe, and many Monet works.
But American's didn't know anything about Impressionism, so this was a daring move by Durand Ruel.
But we would later find out that Durand Ruel was nearly bankrupt. The investors and banks he used for his art dealing business were pulling back.
One bank had gone under, and this was a Hail Mary pass for Durand Ruel to sell art in America. If it didn't work, he would be out of business, along with Claude Monet, and every other painter he was supporting in Europe.
Chapter 06The American Art Exhibition
We now know that the art exhibition Durand Ruel held in New York was enough of a success, they asked to extend it for one additional month.
This tiny bid of hope showed Durand Ruel the possibilities of the American market. And he didn't take his eye off the ball.
American art collectors gradually began warming up to the impressionist works he was displaying. Sales of Monet, and many other European painters began to slowly take off.
And it would be this new market in America that propelled Durand Ruel away from total ruin.
Chapter 07Europe Begins to Buy
Once the American's decided they wanted more impressionist paintings from Europe, of course, the European art collectors wanted the same thing. Demand began to feel on itself, and prices for Monet's paintings began to rise.
It was this huge gamble to travel across the ocean during a global recession and sell impressionist artwork that saved the artists and Durand Ruel's business.
Chapter 08The Monet Letters
So we just covered a very short summary of the story. And I lay it all out during the podcast episode with each twist and turn. The most fascinating part about this amazing story is the letters from Claude Monet.
The letters are amazing. Every letter from Monet to Durand Ruel brought you right inside the mind of the great artist, and spelled out the struggle he was going through on a daily basis.
The struggle to create amazing art was just part of stress. There was a business side of art that most people don't think about, especially 100 years later.
But the letters clearly articulated the daily grind to stay afloat financially, while finding the inspiration to paint epic works.