Claude Monet’s work, featuring London’s iconic Houses of Parliament and the River Thames, will be exhibited for the first time in the city since his visits over a century ago. The exhibition celebrates his unique portrayal of London’s smog as a source of beauty and inspiration, despite its harsh realities.
Claude Monet’s fascination with London’s renowned “smog” is celebrated in a new exhibition titled “Monet and London. Views of the Thames,” which opens on Friday. This is the first showcase of his paintings of the Houses of Parliament and the River Thames in London, fulfilling a wish he had 120 years ago. Monet, who visited London three times between 1899 and 1901, was captivated by the city’s atmospheric effects, particularly its pollution. He recorded his experiences in letters, stating, “Every day, I find London more beautiful to paint.” During his stays at the Savoy Hotel, he painted landmarks such as the Palace of Westminster from a terrace at St Thomas’ Hospital. He appreciated the fascinating interplay of light and weather on the Thames, noting that the fog took on various colours. One of his notable pieces features the Charing Cross Bridge barely visible through a yellow haze, likely resulting from sulphur emissions. Although Monet returned to his home in Giverny with numerous paintings after his visits, he never managed to exhibit them in London, as they were sold before a show could be arranged. The exhibition at the Courtauld Gallery, featuring 21 works drawn from private collections and museums across multiple countries, runs until January 19. Curator Karen Serres remarked that while Monet’s paintings evoke a magical London, this portrayal contrasts sharply with the reality experienced by its residents. Nonetheless, one critic has cheekily called to “bring back smog!” if it results in the “enchanting, unearthly hues” seen in Monet’s art.
The article discusses Claude Monet’s connection to London during the turn of the 20th century, specifically focusing on his artistic interpretations of the city’s atmosphere affected by industrial pollution. Note the exhibition celebrating his work and his comments on the city’s beauty in spite of its smog. The smog served as both a subject and an influence on his painting style, enabling him to create works that depicted unique light effects over the Thames and London’s landmarks.
Monet’s work reveals an intriguing paradox: while he found beauty in London’s smog, the reality of urban pollution was likely far less enchanting for its inhabitants. The exhibition showcases his ability to transform the city’s industrial haze into stunning visual experiences, evident in the upcoming showing of his art in London, a dream nearly 120 years in the making.
Original Source: thepeninsulaqatar.com