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Over the past decade, the staggering records continuously broken reflect the sustained demand and appreciation for Monet's masterpieces in the international art market. Particularly, actions by auction houses like Sotheby's, Christie's, and China Guardian have elevated the value of Monet's works, garnering increasing admiration among collectors worldwide. Characterized by series of works on the same theme, often numbering from a dozen to hundreds, such as "Water Lilies," "Grainstacks," "Mornings on the Seine," or those depicting the Thames, these prolific productions offer more collectors the opportunity to understand and invest in the master's oeuvre.
"Encountering Monet: Immersive Light and Shadow Art Exhibition" highlighted the classic works spanning the lifetime of Oscar-Claude Monet. It showcased masterpieces such as "Women in the Garden" and "Woman with a Parasol Facing Right" from the Musée d'Orsay in Paris, "Regatta at Sainte-Adresse" and "Island of the Dead Frogs" from The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, "Impression, Sunrise" from the Musée Marmottan Monet in Paris, "The Saint-Lazare Station" and "Bathers at La Grenouillère" from the National Gallery in London, and "Luncheon on the Grass" from the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts in Moscow. Additionally, the exhibition curated Monet-inspired series like the "Haystacks," "Rouen Cathedral," and "Houses of Parliament" series, employing digital multimedia techniques to create a nearly 1000-square-meter immersive space of light and shadow. Through Monet's life journey and artistic evolution, visitors embarked on a century-spanning voyage, appreciating the artistic brilliance of this master of impressionism across various stages of his career.
European art has undergone several significant periods of transformation. Romanticism, represented by Delacroix, can be regarded as the first revolutionary wave; realism, represented by Courbet, can be seen as the second revolutionary wave; while impressionism, represented by Manet, Monet, Degas, and others, is considered the third revolutionary wave. As one of the representatives of impressionism, Monet's artistic achievements and influence are unprecedented.
Through his works, he revolutionized people's perceptions of art, shifting it from traditional realism towards a more abstract and emotive mode of expression. While the Renaissance established a scientific system of drawing and modeling, the Impressionists initiated a revolution in color and form, introducing scientific concepts of light and color. They innovated traditional color theories, establishing a modern plein air color theory centered around the colors of light sources and the environment. This laid the groundwork for the development of modern art.
Before Monet, artworks often emphasized form and structure, depicting subjects that were mostly narratives or religious themes. However, in late 19th-century France, Monet broke away from this tradition, exploring the possibilities of painting from a fresh perspective. He pioneered Impressionism, renowned for his unique treatment of light, shadow, and color. This shifted the focus of art from traditional realism towards a more abstract and emotive mode of expression.
Today, the color theories taught by art academy professors, as well as widely known color concepts such as complementary colors, contrast, and the three elements of color, all stem from the research achievements of the Impressionists in color. Monet, with his unique brushwork and sensitive handling of color, vividly portrayed the color changes brought about by variations in light in natural landscapes on his canvases. He often created multiple works of the same scene, capturing different images under varying time and lighting conditions, thus showcasing the ever-changing beauty of the natural world. "Impression, Sunrise" is one of his representative works, initially ridiculed by the academic establishment. However, later on, the term "Impressionism" was embraced by many artists and became widely used. This painting, depicting the captivating scene of a sunrise shrouded in morning mist, showcases the charming interplay of light and shadow, marking it as a seminal work of the Impressionist movement.
His notable works include "Impression, Sunrise," "Luncheon on the Grass," the "Water Lilies" series, "Haystacks in the Winter Morning," "Woman with a Parasol - Madame Monet and Her Son," "The Seine at Argenteuil," "The Boat Studio," "Cliff Walk at Pourville," "The Artist's Garden at Giverny," "View of Antibes from the Salis Gardens 01," "Women in the Garden," "The Church at Vétheuil," "Cliff at Étretat after the Storm," "The Japanese Bridge," "The Seine at Argenteuil," "Camille Monet in Japanese Costume," "Poplars on the Banks of the Epte Seen from the Marsh," and "The Grand Canal, Venice," among others.
For Monet, color is not just a tool for painting, but also a medium through which he expresses his inner emotions and understanding of natural scenery. One of his most famous series is "Water Lilies," which depicts the lilies he observed in the pond at his Giverny garden. These works are renowned for their bold brushstrokes and sensitive handling of color and light, showcasing his exquisite exploration of color and light variations. By repeatedly portraying the same subject, he presents the changing poses of the water lilies on the surface of the water and the mysterious atmosphere created by light and shadow, allowing viewers to feel as if they are immersed in the beauty of light and color in nature.
Below are some recent international auction records of Monet's artworks for your reference:
"Le Bassin aux nymphéas (Water Lily Pond)," created between 1840-1926, sold for USD 70,350,000 at Sotheby's New York in May 2021.
"Meules (Haystacks)," created in 1890-1891, sold for USD 110,747,000 at Sotheby's New York in May 2019.
"Nymphéas en fleur (Water Lilies in Bloom)," created in 1914-1917, sold for USD 84,687,500 at Christie's New York in May 2018.
"Meule (Grainstack)," created in 1890-1891, sold for USD 81,447,500 at Christie's New York in November 2016.
"Le Bassin aux Nymphéas (Water Lily Pond)," created in 1919, sold for GBP 40,921,250 at Christie's London in June 2008.
"Nymphéas (Water Lilies)," created in 1906, sold for GBP 31,722,500 at Sotheby's London in June 2014.
Over the past decade, the staggering records continuously broken reflect the sustained demand and appreciation for Monet's masterpieces in the international art market. Particularly, actions by auction houses like Sotheby's, Christie's, and China Guardian have elevated the value of Monet's works, garnering increasing admiration among collectors worldwide. Characterized by series of works on the same theme, often numbering from a dozen to hundreds, such as "Water Lilies," "Grainstacks," "Mornings on the Seine," or those depicting the Thames, these prolific productions offer more collectors the opportunity to understand and invest in the master's oeuvre.
The "boldness" of Impressionism abandoned traditional color theories to capture the visual sensations produced by color changes on objects. These sensations are purely individual, imbued with strong subjective consciousness and a reflection of the era. Audiences can experience vivid and rich colors, often capturing visual impressions and pursuing changes in light and color. They may overlook the form and contours of objects but strive to objectively and realistically reproduce them as much as possible. Compared to the meticulousness of classical painting, Impressionism is loose and free, focusing solely on color effects, resulting in vibrant and authentic representations.
Additionally, other masters of Impressionism are also highly worthy of collectors' attention: Francesco Filippini, Édouard Manet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Paul Cézanne, Edgar Degas, Vincent van Gogh, Frédéric Bazille, Gustave Caillebotte, Mary Cassatt, Berthe Morisot, Camille Pissarro, and Alfred Sisley.
It has been 150 years since the birth of Impressionism, epitomized by Monet. With 54 classic Monet paintings on display, this exhibition promises to be an unforgettable experience for art enthusiasts and collectors alike, offering a feast of art and inspiration.
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