San Giorgio Maggiore at Dusk (Saint-Georges Majeur au Crépuscule)
Painting on canvas • Claude Monet (1840-1926)
Style & Movement
Impressionism / Late Impressionism
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas using late Impressionist techniques including broken brushwork, wet-on-wet application, and optical color mixing.
Creation Period
1908-1912
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 65.2 x 92.4 cm (25.7 x 36.4 in); Landscape format
Subject Description
A view of the island monastery of San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice at sunset. The composition features the silhouette of the campanile and dome against a vibrant sky of yellow, orange, and blue, reflected in the waters of the Venetian lagoon.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent (based on museum standards). The paint layer appears stable with well-preserved impasto.
Estimated Market Value
$25,000,000 - $45,000,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$30,000,000 - $40,000,000 USD
Provenance History
The original was sold by Bernheim-Jeune to the Cardiff collector Gwendoline Davies in 1912; it was bequeathed to the National Museum of Wales in 1952. Private versions of this scene have cycled through major auction houses like Sotheby's and Christie's.
Art Historical Significance
Crucial part of Monet's Venice series. This work marks his shift toward near-abstraction through the study of light and atmospheric effects, representing the culmination of his 'series' method.
Notable Features
Signature 'Claude Monet' and dated '1908' in the lower right corner. The painting is characterized by its 'halo' of light around the silhouettes and the use of complementary color palettes to heighten visual intensity.
Condition Issues
Potential for minor age-related craquelure and slight yellowing of varnish if not recently cleaned; otherwise, remarkably well-preserved for its age.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain stable humidity (45-55%) and temperature. Use UV-filtering glass and avoid direct sunlight. Professional cleaning of old varnish recommended only if evidence of discoloration exists.
Collector Notes
Monet