Mornings on the Seine, near Giverny (Matinée sur la Seine, environs de Giverny)
Painting on canvas • Claude Monet (French, 1840–1926)
Style & Movement
Impressionism
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas, employing Impressionist brushwork and 'en plein air' techniques with soft atmospheric layering
Creation Period
1897
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 81.3 x 92.7 cm; Landscape format
Subject Description
A tranquil landscape depicting the Seine River at dawn. The composition features symmetrical reflections of trees in the still water, focusing on the play of light and atmospheric effects (brume). It is part of a series where the artist captured the same view at different times of day.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent; well-preserved in a museum environment
Estimated Market Value
$25,000,000 - $45,000,000 USD (Estimated based on comparable series sales)
Auction Estimate
$30,000,000 - $50,000,000 USD
Provenance History
Formerly in the collection of Mr. and Mrs. Martin A. Ryerson; currently held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met), New York
Art Historical Significance
A critical work from Monet's 'Mornings on the Seine' series (1896-1897), marking his transition toward more abstract, meditative explorations of light and water that culminated in the Water Lilies.
Notable Features
Signed and dated 'Claude Monet 97' in the lower left corner; housed in a period-style carved and gilded wood frame with ornate corner fleurons.
Condition Issues
Stable craquelure consistent with age; minor yellowing of old varnish if present, but currently under professional museum care.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain strictly controlled UV lighting, stable humidity (45-55%), and high-quality glazing to prevent environmental degradation.
Collector Notes
The met