Claude Monet, The Houses of Parliament, Shaft of Sunlight in the Fog, 1904. Musée d’Orsay, Paris
Claude Monet (1840-1926) is justifiably famous as one of the key figures of the Impressionist movement – a movement that changed the history of modern art. Less well known is the fact that some of his most remarkable paintings were made not in France but in London. His series of Views of the Thames, begun in 1899 and unveiled to the public in Paris in 1904, demonstrates Monet's fascination for and love of England. Monet fervently wanted to show them in London the following year, but plans fell through. Now, 120 years later, this ambition has been fulfilled and the paintings brought together, just 300 metres from the Savoy Hotel where many of them were painted.
This ARTscapades talk by exhibition curator Dr Karen Serres, Senior Curator of Paintings at the Courtauld Gallery, addresses the genesis and reception of this remarkable series which is currently the subject of the exhibition Monet and London. Views of the Thames at the Courtauld Gallery, London.
Monet and London. Views of the Thames is at the Courtauld Gallery from 27 September 2024 to 19 January 2025.
Proceeds from ARTscapades ticket sales benefit museums, galleries and other arts-based organisations and projects.
This is an online event hosted on Zoom which can be watched live, or on-demand for one month afterwards. You will receive your link to access the event in your email confirmation and the on-demand link after the event ends.