Claude Monet, a life in painting - Collections of the musée d'Orsay and the musée de l'Orangerie

The book showcases the extraordinary collection of works by Claude Monet (1840–1926) held by the Musée d’Orsay and the Musée de l’Orangerie. This collection of over 80 works, brought together and published in their entirety for the first time, makes the two museums home to one of the most significant collections of the Impressionist master’s work, with the distinction of spanning his entire career.

This beautiful book thus tells the story of a painter who was initially marginalised by the art world, but who was gradually recognised and acclaimed. It traces both an artistic journey and a heritage legacy. From his early years in Paris to the spectacular ‘Water Lilies’, the book explores the invention of the series, Impressionism, and Monet’s work on light and the transience of time, through his great masterpieces.

Organised by major creative periods and featuring descriptions of each work, the book is enriched by more technical insights into the physical qualities of Monet’s painting, a presentation of the artist’s works classified as ‘MNR’, and a reflection on the contemporary legacy of his work. It explores the artist’s technique, his favourite themes, and his relationships with his art dealers, patrons and fellow painters.