Highlight

Claude Monet (1840-1926) is heralded as a major Impressionist painter. About a century ago, in his final years, Monet created the summation of his life’s work, his “Water Lilies” series designed as “Grand Decorations” for the Musée de l’Orangerie. Monet’s extant paintings, created through his close examinations of the landscape, continue to fascinate people today.

Energetic brushstrokes, reverberating colors, a gaze that grasped light’s constant changes and single moments of atmosphere, compositions that immerse the viewer in the landscape, and images that expand beyond the picture plane. The multifaceted characteristics of Monet’s works have stood the test of time and are continued in various forms by present-day artists.

This exhibition presents 25 paintings dating from Monet’s earliest period to his final years, alongside 66 works including not only paintings but also prints, photographs and video works by 26 artists from later generations, to reveal the connections that link them across the years. We can look back on this painter from our position today and see that he surpasses his historical moniker of impressionist master as we discover yet new richness, new ongoing fascination in Monet’s arts.

What is it about Monet’s work that makes it so compelling? We hope that this exhibition will provide answers to that question and that visitors to the exhibition will discover the fascination and diversity of contemporary art that reflects Monet.