Madame Monet Embroidering (Camille au métier)
Painting on canvas • Claude Monet
Style & Movement
Impressionism
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas, utilizing Impressionist broken brushwork and short, quick dabs of paint to capture light and texture.
Creation Period
1875
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 65 x 55 cm; Vertical rectangular format (Portrait orientation).
Subject Description
The painting depicts Camille Doncieux, the artist's first wife, sitting at an embroidery frame (métier) in a sunlit interior or conservatory. The composition is lush with indoor plants, featuring a large potted blue and white ceramic planter and filtered light through green foliage, emphasizing the domestic intimacy and the interplay of natural light.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good. The paint layer appears stable with visible impasto. The varnish may have slightly yellowed with age, but the vibrancy of the colors remains high.
Estimated Market Value
20,000,000 USD - 35,000,000 USD
Auction Estimate
18,000,000 USD - 30,000,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely part of a major public or private collection; the frame features a brass nameplate 'Monet'. Historically, Monet's works from this period were often handled by Paul Durand-Ruel.
Art Historical Significance
This work is a significant example of Monet's Argenteuil period, where he focused on the domestic life of his family. It represents the transition from his earlier, more structured portraits to the light-soaked, atmospheric explorations of the mid-1870s.
Notable Features
Features a prominent brass nameplate on the lower molding of the frame and a signature located in the lower right corner. The ornate Rococo-style gilded frame is characteristic of high-end museum presentations for Impressionist works.
Condition Issues
Minor surface dirt and aged varnish; potential fine craquelure consistent with 19th-century oil paintings; minor gilding loss on the ornate period-style frame.
Conservation Recommendations
Surface cleaning by a professional conservator; climate-controlled environment with 50% humidity; UV-filtered lighting; keep away from direct heat sources.