Nymphéas (Water Lilies)
Painting on canvas • Claude Monet (1840–1926)
Style & Movement
Impressionism / Late Impressionism
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas; executed with loose, expressive brushwork, layered impasto, and a wet-on-wet technique characteristic of the artist's late style.
Creation Period
Circa 1914–1917
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 130 x 150 cm / 160 x 180 cm range; Large vertical rectangular format.
Subject Description
A close-up view of the water lily pond at Giverny, featuring white water lilies floating on a surface of blue and green water reflective of the sky and overhanging willow trees. The composition lacks a horizon line, creating an immersive, near-abstract environment.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good (based on visual inspection); the pigments appear vibrant, though typical age-related craquelure may be present.
Estimated Market Value
$30,000,000 - $50,000,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$25,000,000 - $45,000,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely sourced from the artist's estate (Michel Monet) and later moved through major galleries such as Katia Granoff or Durand-Ruel; currently in a major museum collection (resembles works in the Musée de l'Orangerie or Marmottan Monet collections).
Art Historical Significance
A pivotal work from the 'Grandes Décorations' series, representing Monet's transition from traditional Impressionism to the edge of 20th-century abstraction. It highlights his obsession with light and water and influenced later movements like Abstract Expressionism.
Notable Features
Total absence of a horizon or perspective scale; the treatment of the willow reflections as vertical strokes creates a unique cross-hatch effect over the horizontal pads.
Condition Issues
Potential for minor surface grime, slight yellowing of varnish if applicable, and standard mechanical cracking or edge wear from repeated framing.
Conservation Recommendations
Recommend archival framing with UV-protective glass, strictly controlled humidity (45-55%), and low-intensity LED lighting to prevent pigment degradation.