A masterpiece from Claude Monet’s renowned Matinée sur la Seine, temps net series made waves in the art world as it fetched a staggering $18.4 million at a recent Christie’s auction on March 7, 2024, per mymodernmet.com. This series, capturing the tranquil beauty of the Seine River during various times of the day, has long captivated art enthusiasts worldwide.
Dating back to 1896-1897, Monet’s fascination with the Seine led him to create multiple versions of this masterpiece, each depicting subtle nuances of light and weather. The painting that recently sold portrays a serene morning scene, with gentle sunlight breaking through fluffy clouds over the river.
Monet’s artistic genius lies in his ability to infuse his works with intense emotion and poetry, as noted by contemporary critic Maurice Guillemot. This particular series not only showcases Monet’s mastery of Impressionist techniques but also reflects his deep connection to Giverny, where he spent his later years immersed in nature’s beauty.
A copy of “Morning on the Seine” currently held at Boston’s MFA. (Image: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED)While $18.4 million is a substantial sum, it is worth noting that Monet’s other works have commanded even higher prices at auctions, with a water lilies painting selling for $74 million in 2023. Nevertheless, owning a piece from Monet’s Matinée sur la Seine, temps net series remains a rare and cherished opportunity for collectors and art enthusiasts alike, preserving the legacy of one of history’s greatest painters.
