Claude Monet worked a lot, spoke little, rarely about himself. Artist with excessive ambition, egocentric, severe with his colleagues, ungrateful with his friends, eager for profit, tougher in business than American merchants.
Genius, yes, to spare, but housed in a bear, a poorly licked bear. Here is the man in front of his photographer, firmly planted on his short legs, with a full belly, pants tight at the ankles, like a worker, a craftsman whose same outfit he wears.