Nymphéas (Water Lilies)
Painting on canvas • Claude Monet
Style & Movement
Impressionism
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas, executed with rapid, visible, broken brushstrokes and impasto techniques typical of Impressionism
Creation Period
Circa 1914-1917
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 89.5 x 100 cm, horizontal landscape format
Subject Description
A close-up view of a pond surface featuring floating water lily pads in deep blues and greens, accented by two prominent blooming water lilies in shades of white, pink, and yellow, focusing entirely on water, light, and reflection without horizon or banks
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good, showing stable canvas tension and well-preserved paint layers appropriate for a museum-held masterwork
Estimated Market Value
In excess of $30,000,000 to $50,000,000+ based on recent comparable major works by the artist at the elite tier
Auction Estimate
$25,000,000 - $40,000,000
Provenance History
Passed through Monet's studio, major international galleries, and private collections before entering a permanent public museum collection
Art Historical Significance
Belonging to Monet's late series of Water Lilies, this body of work heavily influenced abstract expressionism by dissolving traditional perspective and focusing purely on atmospheric effects, color harmony, and surface abstraction
Notable Features
Housed in an ornate, heavily carved antique gilt frame that contrasts with the dissolving forms of the impressionist surface, bearing the characteristic signature of Claude Monet in the lower left corner
Condition Issues
Minor age-related craquelure consistent with early 20th-century oil paintings, with no major active flaking or significant structural tears visible
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain stable museum environmental controls (50% relative humidity, 20°C), UV-filtered LED lighting, and regular surface dust monitoring