Claude Monet has a career spanning over 60 years, with around 2000 paintings, including the world-renowned Water Lilies, and an unmistakable ethereal touch that is recognizable at first glance. It's an exceptional body of work and talent to discover starting January 31, in the unique setting of the Carrières des Lumières. On the stones, Norman landscapes and Mediterranean waves will respond to each other for a unique artistic journey that even takes us all the way to Japan. This is a wonderful opportunity to explore the creativity and modernity of the artist who inspired the Impressionist movement, highlighted by the iconic painting Impression, Sunrise, which kicks off this spectacular exhibition.
From Paris to Normandy
In the era of urban transformations and modernization of the capital, Monet witnesses the changes of his time while the beauty of nature continues to inspire him.
> as an inspiration and as a challenge. Upon his return to Paris in 1859, he finds the city bustling with construction, and decides to capture the surrounding movement and excitement. A fizzing energy that comes to life right before our eyes, particularly through the spirals of smoke, the ballet of passersby, and the locomotives, true metal giants.Voir cette publication sur Instagram
At the same time, this urbanization only reinforces the importance that the painter gives to nature, particularly to the peaceful landscapes of Normandy. From the hustle and bustle of the Saint-Lazare train station, a train sweeps us along the Seine and its raw poetry so dear to Monet, taking us through the Parisian countryside all the way to Trouville, Étretat, or Saint-Adresse. This leads to dreamlike works, painted close to nature, from his studio boat or on the beach, as evidenced by the grains of sand found on some canvases.
A Total Work of Art
After the gentle beauty of the countryside and beaches of Normandy, the colors projected onto even the cut stones transform to draw us into the warmth and festive spirit of the South, another great love of the artist. " One should paint here with gold and gems..."Reries », Monet will declare, armed with a vibrant palette of colors to represent the translucent waters of the Mediterranean, whether in France or Italy.
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Monet: Creator of Impressionism © Culturespaces / Vincent Pinson
But the journey doesn't stop there, as we are then transported to England and Japan, a country that fascinates Monet, who collects hundreds of prints. A complete change of scenery, before we bring you back to one of the most symbolic aspects of the painter's career: his series. In the Haystacks, the Cathedral of Rouen, or the famous Water Lilies, he captures the changes of seasons, light, and atmosphere, delivering a body of work that will influence generations to come, starting with us.
In the Dreamlike World of Douanier Rousseau
In a short program, the Carrières des Lumières takes us on a journey into the immersive world of one of the pioneers of naïve art in France: Douanier Rousseau. The program features a profusion of plants and animals from faraway lands. Thanks to his imagination, he weaves the colorful tale of a botanical kingdom that transports us to invented lands worthy of our wildest dreams. It’s a true escape to a garden with the fragrance of Eden, that will leave no one indifferent.
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Le Douanier Rousseau, In the Land of Dreams © Culturespaces / Vincent Pinson
Monet: Impression, Sunrise
Le Douanier Rousseau, In the Land of Dreams
Carrières des Lumières
Route de Maillane - Les Baux-de-Provence
Starting from January 31, 2025
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