Who was Claude Monet and what made him different from his colleagues?

Claude Monet was a French painter and a key figure in the Impressionist movement, known for his innovative approach to capturing light and color in natural scenes. Unlike his colleagues, Monet often painted en plein air (outdoors) and focused on the effects of light and atmosphere at different times of day, which set him apart from the more detailed and realistic styles of traditional academic painting. His use of loose brushwork and vibrant color palettes emphasized the ephemeral qualities of nature, making his work a precursor to modern art. Monet's dedication to depicting fleeting moments in landscapes and his unique perspective on perception marked a significant departure from his contemporaries.