Throughout his long life, Monet displayed a passionate regard for the beauty of nature. His principal activity was the creation of paintings that capture the sweep and colorful brilliance of the French landscape. Simultaneously, the artist seized every available opportunity to cultivate his own personal landscapes and sunny domestic gardens that, in turn, lent inspiration to his activity as a painter. His outstanding horticultural achievement, the vast flower garden adorning his house and studio at Giverny, is the perfect spot from which to view this Impressionist’s extraordinary genius. Hear about Monet in a lecture by Colta Ives at the Berkshire Botanical Garden on Wednesday, August 20, beginning at 4 pm in the Education Center. BBG members $15, non-members $20. Register at http://www.berkshirebotanical.org/ai1ec_event/monet-painter-plantsman/?instance_id=2606.

Colta Ives retired from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, with the title Curator Emerita. She organized many exhibitions at the Museum, notably on 19th-century artists, including Bonnard, Gauguin, Toulouse-Lautrec and Van Gogh. She lectures at museums throughout America, as well as in Paris, Sydney and Melbourne, and is returning to the Metropolitan Museum soon, as Guest Curator for an exhibition on French Public Parks and Private Gardens in the Age of Impressionism, to be shown in 2016.