Monet and the Trains

I just read a story about Monet and the series of paintings he did of the Gare St.-Lazare in 1877. I'm not crazy about a lot of Monet's work, but these paintings really thrill me with their enormous vaulted ceilings and steam from the engines clouding so much of the details at platform level. They're simply fabulous, every one of them.

It was Renoir who told the story of Monet, always self-assured and certain of his destiny as a world-renowned painter even when he was a nobody, who managed to secure permission to paint these amazing canvases. He showed up at the station in his best clothes and asked to meet with the director of the Western Railway, saying that he was Monet, a very important painter. The head man, embarrassed to have it thought he was an idiot for not knowing who Monet was, ushered him in to his office and asked what he could do for him. Monet then proceeded to tell the director that he wanted to paint his station, having at first been unable to decide between St. Lazare and the Gare du Nord, but as his station had far more character, it was the one Monet had chosen. He then said he needed the trains to be held for half an hour while he worked. Amazingly, all was granted and he left the station amid regal bows to him and promises that they would do whatever he needed when he came to paint.

Sure enough, when he arrived at the appointed time, the trains were stopped and extra coal was shoveled into the engines constantly to keep the steam swirling. While he worked, everyone catered to his every need and he left with several canvases of this incredible scene.

Renoir finished the story by saying that he was in awe of Monet as he would never have even had the courage to ask his local grocer if he could paint his storefront from the sidewalk, let alone shut down an entire train station.

I love this story for several reasons. First, because I love these paintings and now I know the incredible chutzpah that went into their creation. I love a compelling backstory when it comes to amazing art. Second, because I too would feel like Renoir did, as I could never be so bold as Monet when painting in a public place (which can be unnerving at times even when you're just quietly doing your thing off in a corner). And third, because it shows the importance of believing in oneself and one's art. Despite what anyone else thinks, we must remain true to ourselves and do what we need to do to fulfill our creative urge, however daunting it might be.