1. he was one of the founders of French impressionist painting
2. he was the most consistent and prolific practitioner of the movement's philosophy of expressing one's perceptions before nature, especially as applied to "plein-air" landscape painting.
3. he was disillusioned with the traditional academics so he looked for a fresh, inovating style
4. he was fascinated by the light and color; he explored their changes under various atmospheric/weather conditions and at various times of day
5. asked in 1905 what colors he used, Monet said: "The point is to know how to use the colors, the choice of which is, when all's said and done, a matter of habit. Anyway, I use flake white, cadmium yellow, vermilion, deep madder, cobalt blue, emerald green, and that's all." He often used colors straight from the tube or mixed on canvas.
6. general economical and cultural flourish, personal achievements and popularity
