The Art Institute of Chicago

Water Lily Pond

Oil on canvasClaude Monet (French, 1840–1926)/1917–19

Description

During World War I, after several years of inactivity because of bad health and grief over the death of his second wife, Claude Monet embarked on a period of intense work. Building a large studio and improving his garden, he began a group of monumental paintings of water lilies that he would later offer to the French state. Alongside this project, he painted a suite of 19 smaller canvases, including the present one. There is evidence—including a few photographs of the artist working in his garden—that Monet conceived these paintings outdoors and then reworked them in his studio. By this last stage of his career, however, the distinction between observation and memory in his work is intangible, and perhaps even irrelevant.

Provenance

The artist (died 1926); by descent to his son, Michel Monet, Giverny [per Wildenstein 1996, and invoice on Paul Rosenberg letterhead, dated Oct. 16, 1956, in curatorial object file, Art Institute of Chicago. An estate signature stamp was documented in the lower right corner in a 1963 photograph]. Probably Katia Granoff, Paris, by Oct. 16, 1956 [per Wildenstein 1996]. Paul Rosenberg, New York, by Oct. 16, 1956 [this and the following per invoice on Paul Rosenberg letterhead, Oct. 16, 1956, in curatorial object file (no. 5648, as Water Lilies, c. 1925)]; sold to Harvey Kaplan (d. 1964), Chicago, Oct. 16, 1956; by descent to his wife, Ruth G. Kaplan, 1964; given to the Art Institute of Chicago, beginning in 1982 [The painting was given to the Art Institute of Chicago in undivided fractional interests beginning in 1982. The Art Institute received the final fractional interest for 100% ownership in 2005].

Dimensions

130.2 × 201.9 cm (51 1/2 × 79 1/2 in.)

Source

The Art Institute of Chicago

Movement / Period

Impressionism

Accession No

97933

Official Citations

[The Art Institute of Chicago Official Record][Full Resolution Image]

Curatorial Affinity Stream

Continuing the Universe of Claude Monet (French, 1840–1926)

Impressionism • France • Harmonious Works & Contemporaries

Continuous Discovery