Nymphéas (Water Lilies)
Print on paper with hand-applied watercolor embellishments • After Claude Monet (French, 1840–1926). Art of the Centuries (Reproduced by)
Style & Movement
Impressionism / Late Mural Style
Medium & Technique
Lithographic or photogravure print base, finished with hand-applied watercolors and possibly gouache to simulate painterly textures of the original oil painting.
Creation Period
The original oil composition is circa 1914–1917; the physical print was likely produced in the mid-to-late 20th century (despite the label's '1874' claim, which refers to the birth of Impressionism).
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 12 x 16 inches (visible); Landscape format.
Subject Description
A close-up view of a pond surface featuring pink water lilies (nympheas) among reflections of clouds and surrounding willow trees. The composition lacks a horizon line, creating an immersive, atmospheric effect characteristic of Monet's late Giverny series.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good (for a decorative print). The colors appear slightly shifted toward blue/cool tones, likely due to UV exposure or the printing process.
Estimated Market Value
$50 - $150 USD
Auction Estimate
$30 - $100 USD
Provenance History
Label on reverse: 'Art of the Centuries Guarantees This Print is Circa 1874 Hand Water Colored 277 L 7'. Distributed by Art of the Centuries, a commercial gallery or reproduction company specializing in mid-century decoratives.
Art Historical Significance
Representational of Monet's revolutionary late series where he moved toward abstraction by focusing entirely on light and reflection on water. As a 'Hand Water Colored' print, it serves as a piece of mid-20th-century commercial art aimed at making high art accessible to the domestic market.
Notable Features
The presence of 'Art of the Centuries' provenance label; the deliberate inclusion of hand-applied watercolor to add value and texture, distinguishing it from mass-market posters.
Condition Issues
Potential fading of pigments; acidic matting may cause 'mat burn' or yellowing of the paper edges over time; minor surface undulation.
Conservation Recommendations
Replace current mat with acid-free museum-grade board; install UV-protective glazing to prevent further color fading; keep away from direct sunlight.
Collector Notes
On backside Art of the Centuries Guarantees This Ptint is Circa 1874 Hand Water Colored 277 L 7 sticker