Ouevre Museum | Special Exhibition

A Glimpse into the life of Claude Monet

Monet was raised in Le Havre, Normandy, and became interested in the outdoors and drawing from an early age. Although his mother supported his ambitions, his father disapproved and wanted him to pursue a career in business.

Yet he went on to study at the Académie Suisse, where Eugène Boudin introduced him to the concept of plein air painting. From 1883, Monet lived in Giverny, where he purchased a house and property and began a vast landscaping project, including a water-lily pond.

1840 - 1926

His fame and popularity soared in the second half of the 20th century when he became one of the world's most famous painters and a source of inspiration for burgeoning groups of artists.

Unfortunately, Monet died of lung cancer on 5 December 1926 at the age of 86 and is buried in the Giverny church cemetery.

Founding Father

of Impressionism
A style or movement in painting originating in France in the 1860s, characterized by a concern with depicting the visual impression of the moment, especially in terms of the shifting effect of light and colour.

Collection Highlights

1866

Women in the Garden

An oil painting that started in 1866 when he was 26 years old. His wife Camille Doncieux posed for the figures. It was during this time that he was still early in his career trying the method (en plein air) and subject matter.

1869

La Grenouillère

This artwork shows the "camembert", a small island planted with a single tree linked by gangplanks. Still done during the early done of Impressionism, he was painting with fellow artists side by side.

1872

Impression, Sunrise

A painting that would be one of Claude Monet's most renowned artwork, it coined the term Impressionism, which was one of the most prominent movements in art history. Though it wasn't always this highly praised as when he first displayed it in an independent exhibition, it was harshly criticise by critics.

1873

Les Coquelicots

Created a year before the first Impressionism exhibition, which it was displayed. This painting focus on the natural light movements of the poppy field.

1875

La Promenade (The Stroll)

It's full name Woman with a Parasol – Madame Monet and Her Son, it was also one of Monet's most famous artworks which was not a landscape painting.

1899

The Iris Garden at Giverny

Giverny was a village northwest of Paris, where Monet first rented and later bought a house here which he lived till the day he passed. The use of colors was one of the highlights of this painting which was merged skillfully to create this masterpiece.

Water Lilies Collection

1897

Water Lilies

Claude Monet began his collection of painting water lilies that were at his garden in his home in Giverny.

1899

Water Lilies and Japanese Bridge

For 30 years, he has produced more than 250 oil paintings of his lily ponds and japanese bridge, with many focusing on the sunlight at different parts of the day.