Water Lilies (Nymphéas)
Painting on canvas • Claude Monet (1840–1926)
Style & Movement
French Impressionism / Late Impressionism (transitioning toward Lyrical Abstraction)
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas, utilizing an 'all-over' composition with en plein air influences, characterized by heavy impasto and rapid, expressive brushstrokes that dissolution of form into abstraction.
Creation Period
Circa 1914–1917
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 130 x 200 cm; Landscape format
Subject Description
A close-up view of a water lily pond in Giverny, focusing on the interplay of floating vegetation and the reflection of moving water. The composition lacks a horizon line or traditional perspective, emphasizing color harmony and the transient effects of light.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent - The work appears well-preserved with stable paint layers, though late-period works often exhibit dry paint surfaces characteristic of the artist's final years.
Estimated Market Value
$30,000,000 – $50,000,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$25,000,000 – $45,000,000 USD
Provenance History
Inherited by Michel Monet; subsequently entered major private or institutional collections (such as the Musée de l'Orangerie or Marmottan Monet through bequest/sale).
Art Historical Significance
A pivotal work from Monet's final series at Giverny, representing a shift from traditional Impressionism toward Abstract Expressionism. These large-scale works influenced the New York School and late 20th-century modern art.
Notable Features
Distinctive gestural brushwork and saturated palette of purples, teals, and vermillion; the absence of a focal point forces the viewer's eye to wander the entire pictorial plane.
Condition Issues
Visible surface texture suggests natural aging and intentional impasto; potential slight yellowing of varnish if present, though many were left unvarnished by the artist.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain in a climate-controlled environment (approx. 20°C, 50% humidity). Protect from UV light and use museum-grade non-reflective glass if displayed in high-traffic areas.