This title was selected by Monet 1909 when he exhibited his works in Durand-Luer Gallery. These 48 paintings range from 1903 to 1908. In Monet's own words, this is "an unusual exhibition". From 1904, in Monet's paintings, the scenery around the pond gradually stays in a narrow area at the top of the picture, and finally disappears completely, leaving only water lilies in the whole picture. "These water features always bother me. Although I am an old man, I still want to show my feelings. I ruined some works ... but I started again. " (Letter to Geffroy, 1908, August 1 1)
"Water, water lilies and plants are on a vast surface."
During the First World War, Monet had a studio with a light ceiling, which was used to create a large decorative painting "Water Lily". 19 18 After the armistice, Monet proposed to Kerry Duhamel Du Monceau that he wanted to donate two paintings to the country to celebrate the victory.
After a long negotiation, the donation document was formally signed on April 2 1922. Monet will paint eight paintings for the Tuileries Palace in Paris and hang them in the two halls of the Orange Palace.
In the following years, Kerry Duhamel Du Monceau constantly encouraged Monet, and Monet always had the idea of giving up writing; His eyesight is declining, and he thinks his most precious eye is in danger of blindness. He suffered from cataract, but refused to receive treatment until 1923.
"It's terrible to be near the end of life."
This sentence appeared in1February 7, 899, in a letter from Monet to Grove Roy; Sisley and Susan just died. Monet often repeats similar words in his letters, and naturally feels sad when he sees his friends passing away one by one. 1895 Mo Lisuo died, 1898 Malamer left, 1903 pissarro died, 19 17 Millbo and Degas also left. When Renoir 19 19 died, Monet said that he was now the only one alive among the impressionists. Durand-Luer and Geffroy also died in 1922 and 1926 respectively.
What saddens Monet most is that Alice, the "beloved companion", passed away in 19 1 1. The death of the eldest son Jean in 19 14 also hit him hard.
1919165438+1019, Monet confessed in his letter to Gefroy: "What a tragic ending it is for me." On the one hand, my eyesight has recovered, and on the other hand, I hope that creative activities can bring some comfort. Monet picked up the brush again: "I am indifferent to my work, and I am very satisfied with everything I have done." If this painting of new eyes is good enough, I can live to be 100 years old. "
I spent all my time painting ... until the end of my life. "I started working again. This is the best way for forget the sorrow. So many people are suffering and sacrificing for us, and I am still studying these insignificant forms and colors. I feel ashamed. " -Monet's letter to Jifulei (Jifulei,1914121).
At the end of his life, Monet told Kerry Duhamel Du Monceau: "When you look for your own world from a philosophical point of view, I try to present the appearance of the world, which is closely related to the unknown reality. When a person stays on the surface of harmony, it is impossible to be far from reality, at least it is impossible to be far from what we can recognize. I just observed everything that the world showed and recorded it with a brush. " Claude monet 1928
Kerry Duhamel Du Monceau's Angels and Monet's daughter-in-law, Blanchard, stayed with Monet until his death on February 5, 1926. The master of art died at the age of 86.
Monet said before his death that he would not hand over large decorative paintings when he was alive, so these paintings were placed behind him according to his own design position. The unveiling ceremony was held on May 1927. Water Lily is Monet's last message, which was conveyed to the world through innovative abstract art. From this last sentence, the leader of Impressionism became an example for avant-garde artists and a figure in the 20th century.
"June 8, 1927. Claude was placed in two oval halls of Riolland Palace in Thuille. Monet's water lily. Every moment of the day: morning, afternoon, evening and night, water lilies are in full bloom on the water. At the end of his life, after studying the changes of different themes in nature under color and light, Monet began to pay attention to the most docile and penetrating elements: water, transparency and reflection. Because of painting water, Monet painted things that are hard to see with the naked eye. He drew this almost invisible spiritual plane, which separated light from reflection. The blue sky is set off by the blue sea water. It is flowers, petals, plants and blisters that create the feeling of horizontal plane. Oil paintings are hung on the wall, and the audience can see them from the front and side. By painting the color of water, the surrounding light turns blue. Claude monet, like those who make stained glass in the church, has the same hobby for color. From the whirlpool, from the clouds, Ran Ran rises. " -paul claudel's diary, 1904- 1932.
"For painters, light only exists in color. Look at Monet's paintings at Riolland Palace in Thuille to understand this sentence. Because of his love of using light to express color, Monet gradually committed suicide. His soul wandered in the shroud of the water lily. " Andre Roth's Monet and Picasso
"Monet therefore drew the movement, the movement of the universe. This movement is closely related to him. By mastering the moment of sleeping in the lotus pond and drawing it, Monet continued his life. The last painting of Tuileries Palace was dazzled by the fiery sunset. Sunset falls on the dry reeds in the winter swamp. In this abyss of eternal regeneration, there are charming flowers in spring ... The shades of light and the changes of light and shade are displayed in complete harmony.
This is an unparalleled changing field between heaven and earth, and the movement of the universe is contained in it. In this field, everything has reached the highest level of infinite consistency and communication. The world is wonderful and the sensibility has reached the most perfect state. Kerry Duhamel Du Monceau comments on Monet: water lilies.
Monet died in 1926.
I didn't see the country accept his large decorative paintings with a big gift.
Some people think that these decorative paintings indicate that "Impressionism is over",
However, most artists and thinkers do not agree with them, but have deep respect for these works.
Some people even think that these decorative paintings placed in Riolland Palace in Thuille contain a universal and sacred nature.