London Welcomes Monet’s Thames Masterpieces, a Century in the Making
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London Welcomes Monet’s Thames Masterpieces, a Century in the Making
Nearly 120 years in the making, the canvases of Claude Monet depicting the Thames will finally be exhibited in London, where they were originally conceived. In 1905, Monet had planned to present these works at a London exhibition, but, plagued by doubt, he postponed the event, deeming his canvases unfinished.
Today, the Courtauld Gallery gathers these historical pieces for an exhibition titled “Monet and London: Views of the Thames,” set to open this fall.
Between 1899 and 1901, during three stays in London, Monet captured the essence of the Thames in 94 canvases, depicting iconic sites such as the Charing Cross and Waterloo bridges, as well as the Parliament, under various lights and weather conditions. These works, though created outside of France, are among the most remarkable of Impressionism. The Courtauld Gallery describes them as offering unprecedented perspectives on the Thames, bathed in captivating atmospheres and vibrant colors. In 1904, Monet exhibited 37 of these canvases in Paris, garnering resounding success. Encouraged by this reception, he planned an exhibition at Dowdeswell’s Gallery in London. “My desire has always been to show my Londons here, for my own satisfaction,” he confided. However, shortly after the announcement, Monet canceled the exhibition, dissatisfied with the perceived quality of his canvases. Known for his perfectionism, Monet was often critical of his own creations, even in the face of praise. Ross King, author of “Mad Enchantment” : Claude Monet and the Painting of the “Water Lilies,” emphasizes that, despite their soothing beauty, Monet found the painting process anything but relaxing, even throwing his equipment into the river in a fit of anger.”
Despite his doubts, Monet’s Thames works have only grown in popularity, some fetching astronomical prices at auction. In 2022, “The Parliament, Sunset” sold for $76 million at Christie’s.
The upcoming exhibition will feature 19 of the 37 original canvases exhibited in Paris. The Courtauld Gallery hopes to fulfill Monet’s unmet desire to present these extraordinary paintings in London, not far from the Savoy Hotel where they were painted. The exhibition “Monet and London: Views of the Thames” will be held from September 27, 2024, to January 19, 2025, promising to captivate art and history enthusiasts.
Photos : The Courtauld Gallery/Musée Marmottan Monet
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