David Brenneman, director of collections and exhibitions at Atlanta's High Museum of Art, draws comparisons between Monet's work and the masters of the Dutch landscape tradition, as well as other Old Master traditions. Monet claimed that he was never influenced by the Old Masters; instead, his inspiration came from his own experiences. However, it is clear that he was inspired by the atmospheric expanses of sky and reflections in the surfaces of water depicted in 17th century Dutch landscapes.
David Brenneman was appointed director of collections and exhibitions in 2006, in addition to his role as the Frances B. Bunzl Family curator of european art, which he assumed in 1995. He also has been the managing curator of the Louvre Atlanta exhibit.