Claude Monet in Paris Today
It was in Paris that a young Claude Monet met other like minded artists, a group that would go on to create what is generally accepted to be the most popular styles of art, that is Impressionism. It is only fitting then that for Monet fans visiting Paris today there are now some of the best permanent collections of his work on show. The three museums not to miss are the Musée de l’Orangerie, Musée d’Orsay and Musée Marmottan Monet.
Musée Marmottan Monet
First impressions aside, the Musée Marmottan Monet in Paris has the World’s largest collection of Monet’s paintings, drawings and other personal effects. The building was originally a Duke’s hunting lodge when it was located on the edge of the Bois du Boulogne. It then became a museum to the First Empire. Following two substantial donations the museum became known for its Impressionist collection and its collections of Monet’s works.
Doctor Georges de Bellio, who was physician to the likes of Manet, Monet, Pissaro, Sisley and Renoir, as well as one of the early supporters of the so-called Impressionist movement, had an impressive collection of the Impressionists works. In 1957 his daughter gave this collection to the Marmottan Museum. This donation was followed in 1966 by a donation from, Claude Monet’s second son, Michel Monet, of his collection of his father’s work.
Together these two donations created the world’s largest collection of Monet paintings. It is here that you can view the painting that gave the Impressionist movement its name.
Claude Monet, Impression Soleil Levant, 1872. Oil on Canvas 48 cm x 63 cm. @ Musée Marmottan Monet, Paris.
The museum is open every day except Monday (and 1 January, 1 May and 25 December) from 11 am to 6 pm, except on Tuesdays when it is open until 9 pm. For more information visit the Museum’s website.
Musée de l’Orangerie
Located on the Place de la Concorde, the Orangerie, which once the orangerie of the Tuileries Palace, now houses the series of 8 large water lily paintings known as the Nympheas that Monet gave to the state to celebrate victory in 1918.
The museum is open every day except Tuesday (and 1 May and 25 December) from 9 am to 6 pm. For more information visit the Museum’s website.
Musée d’Orsay
Once one of Paris’s grand railway stations, the Musée d’Orsay is probably the most well known of the three museums that house collections of Monet in Paris. Today this museum houses what is the national collection of Monet’s work, as well as many other French Impressionist artists. Undergoing renovation in 2010, the new galleries and layout due to re-open in 2011 promise to do the impressionist work great justice.
The painting collection of the museum is quite impressive, as it has its origins in the Musée de Luxembourg, founded in 1818 by Louis XVIII. Being a national museum, the museum also houses other substantial collections of sculpture, photography and graphic arts. The museum has in its collection Monet’s Poppies at Argenteuil, the most reproduced Impressionist painting.
Claude Monet, Poppies at Argenteuil, 1873. Oil on canvas 50 cm x 65 cm. @Musée d’Orsay, Paris.
The museum is open daily except Monday (and 1 January, 1 May and 25 December) from 9.30 am to 6 pm, except on Thursdays when it is open late until 9.45 pm. For more information visit the Museum’s website.
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Follow in the footsteps of the Impressionist artists in Normandy:
2 comments
Just one slight correction. Actually the Musée de Luxembourg was initially housed in the Palais du Luxembourg that Marie de Medici had built between 1615 and 1630. the Musée de Luxembourg was the first French museum to be opened to the public, in 1750.
What you might be thinking of is that after the hundred plus paintings were transferred to the Louvre, the Musée de Luxembourg was designated a “museum for living artists” in 1818, or in other words, a museum of contemporary art.
I would have never known that in a million years, had I not been in Paris today, researching my grandfather, Paul, who painted under Bonnat at the Luxembourg between 1890 and 1900.
Paul de Launay was the third cousin of Gustave Caillebotte. I am the fifth cousin of Jacques Chardeau, grandson of Martial Caillebotte, brother of Gustave.
In addition to that, the Paul de Valpinçon who was friend of Edgar Degas was also a close cousin. The house where Edgar came to paint, was bought in 1822 by Paul’s father, Edouard, and it remained in the family until 1974. Edouard was the friend of Ingres who have him his 1808 Bather painting. It now hangs in the Louvre and is known as the “Valpinçon Bather”.
I’m not really an art buff, except how it relates to my family. I like your blog. It’s very informative, and obvious that you put a lot of work in to it. Keep it up!! It’s one of the better ones. – Ange
Andy,
Thank you for your fascinating comment, and your kind words.
I was under the impression that the oldest public museum in France was the Musée des Beaux-Arts et d’archéologie (Museum of Fine Arts and Archaeology) in Besançon; according to their website. This museum started out as the private collection of Jean-Baptiste Boisot who bequeathed his personal collection to the Benedictine monks in the city of Besançon on condition that the collection was open to the public at least two days a week – in 1694, which was nearly a century before the Louvre became a public museum in August 1793.
I think your blog looks very interesting to, and will be exploring that some more myself.
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