Blue Water Lilies

1883–1926 · Virkested

Giverny

October – December 1908

Three months in Venice

At the invitation of Mary Hunter, Monet and Alice arrived in Venice on 1 October 1908; going out daily by gondola, the artist created 37 Venetian canvases. On 12 December he sold them to the Bernheim-Jeune brothers for 12,000 francs each.

6 May 1909

The "Les Nymphéas" exhibition

After several postponements, an exhibition of 48 "Water Lilies" canvases of 1903–1908 opened at Durand-Ruel's — Monet's largest and most unified series to date. The exhibition was a success.

1911

Death of Alice

Monet's second wife Alice died; her death, followed by that of his eldest son, plunged the artist into depression.

1912

Diagnosis: double cataract

Doctors diagnosed Monet with cataracts in both eyes. The illness altered his perception of color: his late pre-operation paintings are suffused with red and brown tones.

1914

Conception of the grand decorative cycle

At Clemenceau's urging, Monet conceived the building of a large new studio for a "decorative cycle of paintings devoted to the water garden." The main work on the cycle took place in 1916–1921.