"In an innovative approach, Richard Thomson considers Claude Monet's paintings of buildings in their environment, offering a reappraisal of an artist more often associated with landscapes, seascapes and gardens. Buildings fulfilled various roles in Monet's canvases; some are chiefly compositional devices while others throw into sharp contrast the forms of man-made construction against the irregularity of nature, or suggest the absent presence of humans. The theme was both central and consistent over five decades of his 60-year career. Written by a renowned expert on Impressionism, this book covers Monet's represntations of historical buildings, inner cities, beach resorts, railway bridges and stations, suburban housing and busy harbours - subjects spanning northern France, the Mediterranean, and the cities of Rouen, London, and Venice. In addition to 77 great paintings by Monet, this thematic, picture-led book includes a wealth of comparative material, such as postcards, posters and original travel photography that sets Monet's work firmly in its historical, culture, and social framework."