2. Claude Monet
Claude Monet was born
on November 14th
1840.
He is perhaps best
known for his
breathtaking
impressionistic
paintings.
3. Women in the Garden
Painted in 1866 by
Claude Monet (he
was 26 at the time).
The painting was
applauded as being
one of the first users
of “light shadows”,
which gave it more of
a human feel.
4. La Grenouillère
Painted in 1869 by
Claude Monet
Depicted a class resort,
consisting of a spa,
and a boating
establishment.
Currently hangs in the
New York
Metropolitan
Museum.
5. Impression, soleil levant
Painted in 1872 by
Claude Monet.
Translates to
“Impression, Sunrise”
The painting gave rise
to the modern
impressionist
movement.
6. Henri-Émile-Benoît Matisse
Born on December 31
1869
Helped develop what
we consider to be
“modern art”.
Worked in a variety of
art mediums during
his long, and far-
reaching career.
7. Women Reading
Painted by Henri
Matisse in 1849.
One of his earlier
works.
Had a sense of realism,
and focused more on
the mediocre rather
than the extreme.
8. Still Life with Geraniums
Painted in 1910, on an
oil canvas by Henri
Matisse.
One of the first Matisse
paintings to enter a
public collection.
9. The Sorrows of the King
A cut out paper collage
by Henri Matisse in
1952.
Don't ask, because I
don't get it either.
One of Matisse's
greatest contributions
to the medium of
“modern art”.
10. La Bateu
A cut-out by Matisse in
1953.
Translate to, “the boat”.
Looks nothing like a
boat.
One of Matisse's last
pieces of work before
his death that same
year.
11. Olivier Messiaen
French composer, born
on December 10th
1908.
He mostly focused on
organ music.
Used ancient Greek,
and Hindi music to
blend a complex
rhythm.
12. Quatuor pour la fin du temps
Composed in 1941.
Translates to “Quartet
for the end of time”.
Made liberal use of
piano, and clarinet
music.
Often labeled in the
“chamber song”
genre.
13. François-Marie Arouet de Voltaire
Born on November 21st
1694.
Best known as a
French Enlightenment
writer.
His writing
encompassed
philosophy, wit, and
firm advocacy for civil
libertiers
14. Candide, ou l'Optimisme
French satire published
in 1759 by Voltaire.
Translates to,
“Candide, or the
Optimist”
Made infamous for it's
searing comments
against the Catholic
church.
15. Victor Hugo
French novelist born on
February 26th 1802.
Known for being a
human rights activist.
Was a major exponent
of the Romantic
movement in France.
16. Les Misérables
A novel penned by
Victor Hugo in 1862.
Translates to, “The
Miserable”.
Takes place between
1815 and 1832,
ending with the June
rebellion in France.
17. Albert Camus
French author, and
journalist, born in
1913.
Proponent of nihilism,
and personal
freedom.
A major player in the
existentialist
movement.
18. L’Étranger
A novel by Albert
Camus. Published in
1942.
Focuses on the
philosophy of nihilism.
Translates to, “The
Stranger”.
Focuses on the main
character's slaying of
an Arab man.
19. Jean-Pierre Jeunet
French film director
born on September
1953.
Famous for his
depictions of
characters
Has gained mass
foreign approval from
critics and non-
complaining people
alike.
20. Amélie
Directed by, Jean-
Pierre Jeunet.
Filmed in 2001, the
movie tells a sort of
whimsical tale about
Parisian life.
Labeled as a romantic
comedy.
Met critical acclaim
upon it's release.
21. So, what else is there?
France is a place of beauty, both naturally and in
the sense that it had produced some of the
greatest minds ever to grace this Earth. All of
the preceding artists, authors, musicians, and
directors have had a major impact, not just on
France, but on the world as a whole. So, in
order to truly understand France, we need to
respect those who have accomplished so much
from France.
Then again, they did elect a socialist, so there's
that, but hey, at least they didn't elect 21 Neo-
Nazis like Greece.
