Jongkind's Influence on Monet

Johan Barthold Jongkind is considered a precursor to Impressionism although he was not an Impressionist himself. He was born in Lattrop, The Netherlands. His early paintings show him staying close to the Dutch tradition with dark colors and realism. He was probably influenced by early Dutch painters like Rubens. However, even Jongkind’s early works show the figures as being less important in a prominent landscape. In 1845 Eugène Isabey noticed his talent and invited him to become his pupil in his Paris studio, an adventure financed by the Prince of Orange (William III).

He met many painters while in Paris, notably he met many Barbizon School painters, and they influenced his works gradually. The dark colors of his home tradition contrasted with the bright colors he began to use for anything that wasn’t incredibly dark. Jongkind’s preference for every day scenes could be the influence of the Barbizon school or it could be an innate preference.

In 1862 Jongkind met Boudin and Monet. After Boudin, Jongkind became Monet’s teacher. He shared with Monet his love of seascapes and his en plein air technique that had such distinctly impressionistic qualities. Jongkind would go outside and paint what he could in watercolor and take notes, painting mostly his impressions of the effect of light and time on the subjects. Then, he would return to his studio and add the details that were not related to this.

Jongkind showed in the famous Salon de refusés of 1863 with Ruins of Rosemont castle. There his paintings began to get noticed. In 1873 his Moonlight in Rotterdam was refused by the Salon and he decided never to submit works to the Salon again. He also refused to take part in the exhibitions of the Impressionists. Jongkind enjoyed some degree of fame near the end of his lifetime, but never became as famous as his Impressionist counterparts.

Some examples of the similarities in their work can be seen in View of Anvers Port 1873 by Jongkind and Etretat. The End of the Day. 1885 by Monet.