Paris exhibition shines spotlight on Claude Monet's overlooked brother Leon

Claude Monet is widely considered the founder of Impressionism. His 1872 “Impression, Sunrise” gave its name to the Impressionist movement. 

But it's his little-known brother, Leon Monet, who is now under the spotlight. 

An exhibition at the Musée du Luxembourg in Paris focuses on his role and influence over his famous brother's career.

“This exhibition is very important because it puts Leon Monet back in the Claude Monet story," says Frances Fowle, senior curator at the National Galleries of Scotland and an expert on Impressionism.

Leon Monet had been forgotten, and it took curator Geraldine Lefebvre over three years to uncover his role in the Impressionist Movement. 

Recognising Claude's talent early on, Leon bought his paintings at auction and sales at a time when nobody else did, helping him raise his brother's profile and prices. 

“He collected, he bought at auctions, sales. He bought some paintings of impressionist painters; not only of his brother but by (through) his brother, he met the new generation of impressionist painters. Because (Alfred) Sisley, (Camille) Pissaro, (Pierre-Auguste) Renoir, were very close to Claude Monet. They painted together,” says curator Geraldine Lefebvre. 

He kept some of the artworks and returned others to his brother, but was much more than just a collector.

"He obviously was a key player. And he’s part of this much wider network that was kind of essential for Monet’s success," explains Fowle.

"One tends to think of Monet making it all by himself, but he relied on a network of collectors, supporters, dealers. Leon seems to be almost like a lynchpin who has been somehow overlooked and rediscovered through the exhibition," adds Fowle. 

Sadly, the two brothers' relationship fell apart shortly