This fall, Courtauld Gallery will present “Monet and London: Views of the Thames,” an exhibition featuring Claude Monet’s paintings from his visits to the city between 1899 and 1901. This showcase marks the first U.K. exhibition dedicated to these works, finally fulfilling the artist’s dream to have them shown in London. The exhibition will open on September 27, 2024, and will run until January 19, 2025, just 300 meters from where Monet painted many of these works, at the Savoy Hotel.
Monet’s most famous paintings come from his time in the French countryside. However, in recent years, his London series has gained prominence. Monet’s portrayal of the Thames River and the London skyscrapers include famous views such as Waterloo Bridge, Charing Cross Bridge, and the Houses of Parliament, depicted at different times of day to showcase the changing light and mood of the city, in typical Impressionist style.
In 1904, Monet unveiled 37 of these works in Paris at Galerie Durand-Ruel et Cie. He planned to show the paintings the following year but postponed the show at the last minute, believing that the works were not yet ready. Now, 120 years later, 19 of the 37 original paintings will be on view to the public.
Many of these works highlight the increasing historical significance of this work, the painting Le Parlement, soleil couchant (1900–03) achieved $76 million at a Christie’s auction in 2022, smashing its $60 million high estimate. This work was one of the original works shown in Paris and will be on view at Courtauld Gallery this fall.
