Water Lilies, Evening Effect by Claude Monet - Soft Enamel Pin - 1.25". Claude Monet (born November 14, 1840, Paris, France—died December 5, 1926, Giverny) was a French painter who was the initiator, leader, and unswerving advocate of the Impressionist style. In his mature works, Monet developed his method of producing repeated studies of the same motif in series, changing canvases with the light or as his interest shifted. His popularity soared in the second half of the 20th century, when his works traveled the world in museum exhibitions that attracted record-breaking crowds.