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.

[Einstein Noodle]

well done, Ms. Shaw!! perfect description and the humanity of Monet's work ... even as his own mother approached death. I actually see life in her face .. just a glimmer; but still, life. thanks so much for sharing your beautiful poem. Monet is one of my favorite artists ..
E.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Mr E. Monet is a favourite of mine too. Pleased you enjoyed the read. All the best to you from this side of the pond.

Chris

[Maximus]

It's truly a masterpiece, Your Imagination has really turned that painting alive... I really enjoyed reading your poem with extraordinary writing skills and the way you presented it, is a piece of art...

[Soren]

Such a poetic description of a piece of art that pictures death as a part of life. Painting like poetry should not be limited to only the most beautiful. I felt the rhyme of death and breath and how those two relate.
"to paint her before
she departed
in hues of shroud like
mourning veils"
the wording here adds to the mood. Nicely done Chris

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Soren for your thoughtful review. All the best.

Chris

[Bhuyanshi Talukdar]

The naturalness of capturing this fleeting moment before the person's departure.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much for your visit and review.

Chris

[NormaZ]

Nicely put, he would always remember her, even in death. Loved how you used the painting as an inspiration to your poem.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Norma. Will pay you a visit soon. Have been recovering from COVID and my energy levels for three weeks have been zilch.

Chris

[NormaZ]

☹️ Hope you feel better soon!

[DIVYA]

"she departed
in hues of shroud like
mourning veils"

~ The concept of this poem is so beautiful. The painter sees beauty in death. The above quoted lines take away my breath as the morning hues feel like a shroud. A grey veil of mourning. That is unforgettable poetry! Kudos Chris!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you DIVYA. He saw the beauty in his dying wife and even though it must have been painful, he captured her in brush strokes. We poets might use our words instead. So pleased for your thoughts here.

Chris

[Silmara McGarry]

Wooooow.....How you yourself is painting such fabulous picture here with this magnificent poem so unique!!! How painful must have been for him!
So very well done my dearest Chris👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Hugs
Sil
;-)))

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Sil for a lovely review and visit. Hope all is good in your world.

Chris

[Tina]

Wow.. interesting..must have been sad for the painter ,I can imagine he painted her with tearful eyes.

[Chris Shaw]

How lovely to have a visit from you Tina. Thank you so much. Hope all is good in your world.

Chris

[Tina]

Your welcome

[Ken e Bujold]

even in the throes of death ... love does not know bounds. You've painted a great picture here Chris

as an aside, my fav portrait of Monet is also of Camille. The Lady in the Green Dress, in Bremen

ken

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Ken. I know that painting and admire it too. I bought a book of his work in a second hand book shop. I am a huge fan. I especially like his garden paintings. The lilies in the pond capturing the different light of day are marvelous.

Chris

[Ken e Bujold]

big fan as well. few years back on a trip to Toyko had chance to see what is the largest collection of his work outside of France. Spent an entire day there, Muse and girls went shopping.

[Shelley Warner]

Your poem prompted me to look up the painting by Monet of Camille on her deathbed. Yes, painting a loved one in their final moments seems like a loving tribute.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Shelley. I share your views. No cameras in those days. Hope all is well.

read moreThank you dear Shelley. I share your views. No cameras in those days. Hope all is well.

Chris

[Shelley Warner]

Yes, lucky thing there were no cameras. A photo would seem too insensitive.