Monet is one of the leading figures of the Impressionist group of painters that came to the fore in France in the second half of the nineteenth century. This project is aimed at established fans and for those wishing to learn about him for the first time. With the inclusion of facsimiles of some 30 documents from Claude Monet's personal papers and associated archives, "Musee Marmottan's Treasures of Monet" offers a unique insight into his life and works - from his childhood and youth in Le Havre to his study of art in Paris, growth as a painter and development of a style that made him one of the most sought-after artists of his day and in subsequent years.

Michael Howard is Senior Lecturer in history of art and design at the Metropolitan University in Manchester. He is a prolific writer of books on art and a contributor to Art Quarterly, Art Newspaper and the Times Literary Supplement.