Claude Monet Paintings

Thames Below Westminster Print by Claude Monet

Claude Monet produced a large number of famous impressionist paintings from a series of exceptional artworks produced from his time in London, UK. Best known are his depictions of the London House of Parliament but other parts of the series have also gained popularity. These include Thames Below Westminster, Waterloo Bridge and Charing Cross Bridge.

After the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War, Monet took refuge in England in September 1870. While there, he studied the works of John Constable and Joseph Mallord William Turner, both of whose landscapes would serve to inspire Monet’s innovations in the study of color. In the Spring of 1871, Monet’s works were refused authorisation for inclusion in the Royal Academy exhibition. In May 1871, he left London to live in Zaandam, in the Netherlands.

Claude Monet painted a series of paintings of the Palace of Westminster, home of the British Parliament, during his stay in London. The paintings have all the same size and viewpoint, Monet’s window at St Thomas’ Hospital overlooking the Thames. They are however painted at different times of the day and at different weather circumstances.

By now he had abandoned his earlier working practice of completing a painting on the spot in front of the motif. He carried on refining the images back in France, and sent to London for photographs to help in this. This caused some adverse reaction, but Monet’s reply was that his means of creating a work was his own business, and it was up to the viewer to judge the final result.

As an example of the success of Monet, even today, in 2004, London, the Parliament, Effects of Sun in the Fog (Londres, le Parlement, trouée de soleil dans le brouillard) which Monet painted in 1904, sold for U.S. $20.1 million.

If you are looking for high quality, hand made oil paintings by this famous French impressionist, then perhaps try this Monet Paintings page on the Vault Oil Paintings website, who offer reproductions of pretty much any artist ever, at any sizes you desire.

Monet (1840-1926) was one of a number of progressive artists drawn to London during the period covered by the exhibition. London was a leading commercial center, as well as the capital of the British empire, and attracted people from around the globe. Urban development, increasing industrialization, and the busy port and docks dramatically altered the banks along the Thames and the overall environment.

Such changes and the vast fogs made London, especially near the river, an ideal place for Monet to paint. He was especially fascinated with capturing changes in the atmosphere and the reflection of light on water.

Even long after Monet’s death, London remains strongly connected to the famous artist with regular features in the national galleries that dot around the city and even some tourist spots of interest at the points where some of Monet’s more renowned paintings of the city are believed to have been created. Despite not having the obvious charm of some other international cities, in terms of landscape, London is key to the art world, and is a great place to visit to discover some of the best paintings by many of the world’s greatest artists, with only an occasional focus on British artists. This reflects the diversity of the city, and it’s desire to match the wishes of such a broad population, with a wide range of opportunities and interests.