Monet and time

From 30 September 2026 to 25 January 2027, the Musée de l'Orangerie will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the death of Claude Monet with the exhibition Monet and Time. Bringing together nearly forty paintings from the collections of the Musée d'Orsay, the Musée Marmottan Monet and international loans, this retrospective explores how Monet made time, light and the seasons central elements of his work.

The Impressionist beginnings: capturing the moment

The first part of the exhibition looks back at the 1870s, when Monet established himself as a key figure in new painting. His outdoor works, characterised by rapid brushstrokes and luminous harmonies, reflect a desire to freeze the moment and its atmospheric variations. This quest for instantaneity paved the way for a profound reflection on time, which would become one of the central themes of his work.

The major series: variations in light and the fragmentation of time

The exhibition then highlights the famous series from the 1890s — Haystacks, Rouen Cathedrals, Poplars — in which Monet painted the same motif at different times of day in order to capture the transformations of light. This quasi-scientific approach, taken to the point of methodical repetition, questions the fragmentation of time and offers a fascinating exploration of changing atmospheres.

The Water Lilies: lasting impressions in painting

The tour concludes with the monumental Water Lilies series, permanently installed at the Orangerie. A true artistic testament, this immersive collection — nicknamed the ‘Sistine Chapel of Impressionism’ — offers a unique experience where time seems to stand still. Monet transcends the notion of the moment to achieve a continuous, almost meditative vision of nature and light.

A poetic exploration of the painter's relationship with moments, seasons and light, enriched by the 20-minuteimmersive virtual reality experience ‘Monet - In real time’, for a unique journey into the heart of the Impressionist master's work.

Experience moments of Impressionist happiness in Paris Region