1840
Claude Monet born November 14 in Paris
1856
Starts receiving drawing lessons from Ochard
1859
Leaves for Paris to study painting against his parents' wishes, but with the support of his Aunt.
1861
Completes his term in the army when his Aunt buys out his service time, on condition that his receive formal training in Paris.
1864
Loses support and allowance from family after an argument, but finds supporter in Gaudibert. His formal training ends.
1867
Monet's family is displeased with his relationship with girlfriend Camille-Leonie Doncieux when they discover that she is pregnant.
Monet's first son Jean is born August 8, the new family is forced to live on the Normandy coast due to lack of finances.
1869
During the summer of 1869, Monet in the company of Renoir, produced his first truly Impressionist paintings. He began using paints instead of just sketching, with swift, bold brush stokes using a mixture of wet-in-wet places to create fluid and subtle mixtures of color
1871
Had just married Camille, but exiled to London to avoid fighting the Prussians.
1874
On April 15, the first exhibition of the "Societe anonyme des artistes peinteures, sculptures, graveurs" was held in the Nada Studio.
1875
Monet, Sisley, Renoir and Morisot auction of their work. The auction is a failure, the works are sold at knock-down prices and police controlled mocking crowds.
1873
Ernest Hoschede employed Monet for several months to paint four decorative panes at his store. While staying with Hoschede, Monet became friends with Hoschede's wife Alice and their six children.
1877
In late 1877 Hoschede declares bankruptcy and leaves Alice and children to depend on Monet while he left for Paris to find work. Alice in turn cares for Camille during her failing days.
1878
Monet's second son Michel is born in March making Camille's fragile state worse. The family faces yet another financial crisis.
1879
On September 5 Camille dies. Alice and her children remain with Monet while he and his sons move to Giverny.
1891
Ernest dies, allowing Monet and Alice to marry on July 16, 1892. Monet cuts down his travels and paints landscapes around his home in Giverny.
It was in his gardens that Monet spent the last decades of his life. His flowers and the lily pond with the Japanese bridge became his obsession.
1908
In June, Monet begins his final 'Water-Lilies' works.
From September to December, he visits Venice and complete almost 50 canvases in the Venice series.
1911
Alice dies followed by Jean three years later.
1926
A month after his 86 birthday on December 5, Monet dies with friend Clemeneau at his side.
Monet had lived just long enough to see his master piece of a gift to the French nation completed. Monet's last works, aside from the 'decoration' were the Japanese bridge and the garden of Giverny paintings.