Deep Green Nymphéas Fragment by Claude Monet

Claude Monet
1840-1926 | French

Deep Green Nymphéas Fragment
(Water Lilies)

Oil on canvas

"Water lilies are an extension of my life. Without the water the lilies cannot live, as I am without art." -Claude Monet

One of the most admired and recognized artists of all time, Claude Monet was a dedicated student of nature and remained a naturalist throughout his life. He held a profound fascination with perspective, movement and natural light, using these elements to compose landscapes of unparalleled beauty. His genius in capturing natural phenomena on canvas is most evident in his iconic paintings of water lilies.

This specific fragment, a close-up of the blue and deep green hues blending in the pond, illustrates Monet’s transition toward abstraction. The thickly applied paint, liberated brushstrokes and delicate interplay of colors and textures underscore the depth and beauty of his work. Despite early resistance from the traditional art community, who saw his free brushwork and bold colors as defying academic norms, Monet's pioneering techniques ultimately captivated collectors and museums alike.

Painting and gardening were the two lifelong passions that propelled Monet forward. The artist’s water lily paintings reflect his appreciation of nature and his deep connection with his gardens at Giverny. The grounds at Giverny were a labor of love for the artist, who, with the help of a team of gardeners, thoughtfully designed and installed a water garden on the property beginning in 1893. Monet filled his pond with water lilies of several varieties and surrounded it with weeping willows and a Japanese bridge, creating a setting that inspired the careful study of ever-changing light, reflection, color and pattern. 

The monumental "Nymphéas" housed in institutions such as the Musée de l'Orangerie in Paris—often referred to as the "Sistine Chapel of Impressionism"—are actually separate canvases assembled together. Monet dedicated a considerable amount of time to creating studies and smaller compositions en plein air, which he then combined for the final display. Monet gifted the unselected fragments and studies to his gardener, who played a crucial role in assisting the aging artist with this extensive project. The gardener later passed these pieces to his son, Monsieur Blin. Recognizing their value, Blin selectively released these fragments to discerning collectors. At a time when even the most prestigious homes lacked the expansive, museum-like wall space required for Monet's full-sized works, these fragments provided a unique and accessible way to own a piece of the artist's legacy.

Born in Paris in 1840, Claude Monet was a monumental figure in the Impressionist movement and a pioneer of modernism. His Nymphéas series has had a profound impact on modern artists across styles and decades. Today, Monet’s water lilies are represented in the finest museums around the globe, including the Musée d’Orsay (Paris), the National Gallery (London), the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York), the Museum of Modern Art (New York), the National Gallery of Art (Washington, D.C.), the Art Institute of Chicago and many more. The Musée de l’Orangerie in Paris dedicates two entire rooms to eight monumental water lily canvases.

This fragment has been expertly relined, thus the all-white border.

Circa 1915

Canvas: 9 1/4" high x 30" wide (23.50 x 76.20 cm)
Frame: 23" high x 37 3/4" wide x 2" deep (58.42 x 95.89 x 5.08 cm)

Provenance:
Workshop of Claude Monet
Michel et Blanche Hoschedé-Monet
Monsieur et Madame Blin
Thence by descent until 2010
Private collection, California