When he got older, Monet developed cataracts in his eyes. He had them surgically removed, but his perception of color was damaged; he went through a stage of seeing things too yellow (known as xanthopsia), then too blue (cyanopsia).
In a letter dated 21 October 1923 to Dr Charles Courtela, Monet wrote: "I received the spectacles from Germany and much to my surprise the results are very good. I can see green again, red and, at last, an attenuated blue."
In a letter dated 6 April 1924, also to Dr Courtela, Monet wrote: "You have recovered my perception of black and white, for reading and writing in other words, and I'm grateful for that of course, but my vision as a painter has, alas, gone..."
On 27 July 1925, Monet wrote to him once more: "I've truly recovered my sight at last and did so virtually at a stroke. In short, I can live and breathe again, am overjoyed to see everything once more, and I'm working passionately."
(Quotes source: p263-5 Monet by Himself, edited by Richard Kendall)
In a letter dated 21 October 1923 to Dr Charles Courtela, Monet wrote: "I received the spectacles from Germany and much to my surprise the results are very good. I can see green again, red and, at last, an attenuated blue."
In a letter dated 6 April 1924, also to Dr Courtela, Monet wrote: "You have recovered my perception of black and white, for reading and writing in other words, and I'm grateful for that of course, but my vision as a painter has, alas, gone..."
On 27 July 1925, Monet wrote to him once more: "I've truly recovered my sight at last and did so virtually at a stroke. In short, I can live and breathe again, am overjoyed to see everything once more, and I'm working passionately."
(Quotes source: p263-5 Monet by Himself, edited by Richard Kendall)