Born in Paris in 1840, Claude Monet spent his childhood in Le Havre where he began to take an interest in art by making caricatures. He left to study painting in Paris where he worked with Alfred Sisley, Auguste Renoir and Frederic Bazille who would become close friends. He encountered financial difficulties because his style did not please the Salons, which refused to exhibit him. He left for London where he met Paul Durand-Ruel who bought his paintings and contributed to the dissemination of Impressionist works. In 1874 he presents with other impressionist painters an exhibition where the painting "Impression Soleil Levant" is found which, following a criticism, will give its name to the movement. This painting represents the port of the city of Le Havre in the early morning. In 1883 he moved to Giverny with his family, this house and more particularly its garden will become his haven of peace.