The world knows Claude Monet as a great artist, but he was also an art collector. The paintings in his collection include works by Renoir, Manet, Delacroix, Pissarro, Rodin, Toulouse-Lautrec and Cézanne.
The collection was something that Monet built up over the span of his lifetime and after his death, was passed on to his son. Unfortunately, his son sold many of the pieces before the end of the second world war and many of the remaining pieces were destroyed in raids in 1940.
This collection is a showcase of the remaining work includings writings which include memoirs by acquaintances and interviews with Monet himself. Although Monet’s water lilies continue to be one of his most widely recognizable works, his own pieces of art include masterpieces and 77 such works are being showcased in this exhibition. Monet bought art pieces which he admired and which he genuinely saw as inspiration for his own creativity. By seeing what Monet collected, visitors can get a glimpse into his mind and an understanding of his art.
Monet especially enjoyed collecting Renoir and Cézanne, and this exhibition includes almost a hundred pieces that have been lent by private collections and museums from New York, Washington, San Francisco, Tokyo and more.
The exhibition has been running from 14th September 2017 and will continue to 14th January 2018 at the Musee Marmottan Monet. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 6pm. More information can be found on www.marmottan.fr and admission is around 11 Euro.
