The Secret of Monet’s Signature

Claude Monet, as a leading figure of the Impressionist movement, had a profound impact not only in Japan but around the world.

However, his career contains some unexpected stories. Below, I will outline three key points related to Monet’s signature.

1. Was Monet’s Signature Handwritten?

Many people are unaware that Monet’s signature seen on his works is mostly not handwritten by him.

It is believed that his relatives used rubber stamps to mark his name.

Monet himself rarely signed his paintings directly, opting instead to use stamps to manage and authenticate his works.

This method helped to simplify the process of verifying ownership and managing his vast body of artwork.

2. Stamp Use for Estate Management

Monet produced an overwhelming number of works during his lifetime, making the management of his paintings highly complex.

To address this, his family used rubber stamps featuring Monet’s name, making the verification and organization of ownership much more efficient.

These stamps played a crucial role in maintaining order, especially when dealing with a large volume of works, helping to streamline the process of estate management and authentication.

3. The Absence of Handwritten Signatures and Misconceptions

Very few of Monet’s paintings contain his own handwritten signature, which has led to widespread misconceptions.

Since many of his signatures are from stamps rather than his own hand, this has caused confusion among collectors and scholars.

The use of stamped signatures not only reflects Monet’s unique approach to managing his artworks but also provides a deeper understanding of his artistic career and the challenges he faced in maintaining his legacy.

Monet’s reliance on stamped signatures reveals a fascinating narrative about his approach to art production and management, moving beyond common misconceptions about his works.