Artwork
Saule pleureur et bassin aux nymphéas (Wildenstein 1848)
Saule pleureur et bassin aux nymphéas (Wildenstein 1848) is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Claude Monet. It dates from 1917 and is held in the collection of the Musée Marmottan Monet.
About this work
Overview
Painted in 1917, Saule pleureur et bassin aux nymphéas is an oil on canvas work by Claude Monet, created during the artist's later years at his home in Giverny.
Painted in 1917, Saule pleureur et bassin aux nymphéas is an oil on canvas work by Claude Monet, created during the artist's later years at his home in Giverny. The composition centers on the textured trunk of a weeping willow in the immediate foreground, rendered with vigorous, impasto brushstrokes in earthy browns, reds, and touches of violet. Behind this vertical element, the background dissolves into an atmospheric blend of green foliage and blue sky, characteristic of Monet's late style where form yields to light and color.
This period, spanning roughly 1914 to 1926, saw Monet focusing almost exclusively on the water garden he cultivated, producing the monumental Nymphéas series. While often associated with the large decorative panels intended for the Orangerie, this specific canvas explores the interplay between the solid mass of the tree and the fluid, impressionistic rendering of the pond and surrounding nature. The work exemplifies Monet's shift toward a more abstract approach, prioritizing the sensory experience of the landscape over precise topographical detail.
It stands as a significant example of his mature output, reflecting both his physical limitations due to cataracts and his enduring fascination with the changing effects of light on the Giverny garden.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a weeping willow whose trunk dominates the foreground, while a tranquil pool of water reflects the surrounding foliage. The muted palette and soft horizon suggest a quiet, contemplative atmosphere, inviting viewers to linger in the gentle interplay of light and shadow.
Technique & Style
Monet employs loose, expressive brushwork that blurs the tree bark into shades of brown, red, and occasional violet, while the sky and distant greenery dissolve into blue tones. This handling of paint emphasizes movement and the fleeting quality of natural light, hallmarks of his late Impressionist approach.
History & Provenance
The painting entered the Wildenstein collection, catalogued as number 1848, before being acquired by the Musée Marmottan Monet. Its provenance traces a typical path for Monet’s late works, moving from private European collectors to public institutions dedicated to his oeuvre.
Context
Created during the final years of Monet’s life, the work reflects his sustained fascination with water‑lily subjects and the surrounding Giverny landscape. By 1917, Monet’s focus had shifted toward increasingly abstracted depictions of nature, emphasizing color and atmosphere over precise detail.
Artist & collection
Artist
Oscar-Claude Monet was a French painter and founder of Impressionism who is seen as a key precursor to modernism, especially in his attempts to paint nature as he perceived it.
