*The Magpie (1868): Monet takes the simple theme of a single magpie sitting on the gate for the focus of his piece. The bird sits as if in contemplative mood in the idyllic landscape setting. The shadows and the light contrast beautifully against the background of trees, ice sky, and snowcovered buildings. There are those that advocate that this is the first "true" Impressionist painting, created five years before the movement was given its name. *CLAUDE MONET (1845-1870) is one of the world's most famous painters, well-known today for his series of serene water lilies paintings, Claude Monet was instrumental in forging an entirely new direction for the world of art & impressionism. His distinctive use of colour, vision, and conformation would have a long influence on fine art, inspiring many great artists like Van Gogh.