Sometimes understanding the differences between artists, art movements and techniques is utterly confusing. Terms and names often sound identical. Other historical studies build clear distinctions between important actions and people, but this is not the case with art history. A small sampling of art terminology can demonstrate its complicated nature. Adding the word post to Impressionism or Modernism drastically changes their definition. Artists who worked under Cubism can be separated into three dissimilar, but comparable categories: Synthetic Cubism, Facet Cubism or Analytic Cubism. When discussing Stella we need to explain whether we are talking about Joseph or Frank. And with the prefix ism used to label a plethora of subjects, its no wonder art history is so perplexing.

Art historical language has the potential to be tamed. However to do so, art historians need to work on educating the public instead of shunning it. The goal should be to help the average museum goer feel comfortable with the concepts of art history. I am not excluded from this challenge. In this essay, I will try to set a standard of comparison. The subject that will be the foundation of my educational undertaking, is one that has plagued art historians for generations, "What is difference between Manet and Monet?" I hope that by contrasting the lives of these two great artisans, I can make art history a little friendlier.

MANET VS. MONET

Edouard Manet: Was born in Paris.
Claude Monet: Was born in Paris.

Edouard Manet: Painted scenes of contemporary life in Paris.
Claude Monet: Painted scenes of contemporary life in Paris.

Edouard Manet: Had work rejected by the Salon jury.
Claude Monet: Had work rejected by the Salon jury.

Edouard Manet: Is considered by many to be the Father of Impressionism.
Claude Monet: Is considered by many to be the Father of Impressionism.

Edouard Manet: Painted The Banks of the Seine at Argenteuil.
Claude Monet: Painted Banks of the Seine, Vétheuil.

Edouard Manet: : He worked closely with Monet in Argenteuil in 1874.
Claude Monet: He worked closely with Manet in Argenteuil in 1874.

Edouard Manet: Painted Monet in His Studio Boat.
Claude Monet: Painted in his studio boat.

Edouard Manet: Served as corpse in own funeral.
Claude Monet: Served as pallbearer in Manet's funeral.

Edouard Manet: Nadar took the first aerial photographs from a balloon above Paris in 1856. It is quite possible that Manet was in the shot.
Claude Monet: Nadar took the first aerial photographs from a balloon above Paris in 1856. It is quite possible that Monet was in the shot.

Edouard Manet: Is often mistaken for Claude Monet.
Claude Monet: Is often mistaken for Edouard Manet.

Dr. Jeff Geoff is a professor of Fine Arts at the University of New York City. His other works include 1974: The Lost Whitney Biennial and Are Elephants Nature's Magnificent Art-Making Machines? Along with writing a monthly column for ARTless he is also featured in Artie The Spiny Anteater Childern's Art Magazine and f-ART.