Claude Monet was a French impressionist painter born in 1840 in Paris. He helped establish impressionist painting through his depictions of nature, especially landscapes. Monet served in the French army in Algeria from 1860 to 1862 before focusing on his painting career. The document provides descriptions of several Monet paintings including Water Lilies and Japanese Bridge, Rising Sun, The Magpie, Flowers on the Riverbank, and Bouquet of Sunflowers. Each description notes the subject matter and prominent colors used in the paintings.