2026 is a special year for the Musée des Impressionnismes in Giverny and for Claude Monet: he passed away on December 5, 1926, so we are celebrating the centenary of his death. On this occasion, the museum will explore the early days of this artist, even before he became the famous painter we know today. From March 27 to July 5, 2026, the exhibition Before the Water Lilies: Monet Discovers Giverny 1883-1890 will offer a unique historical dive into this crucial period that shaped both the artist and his work.
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Giverny, a Major Turning Point
In 1883, Claude Monet settles in Giverny. After a long period of personal and professional struggles — with paintings not selling well and the loss of his wife Camille — the painter seems to slowly be finding his footing, thanks to one person: Paul Durand-Ruel, a dealer who manages to sell some of Monet's paintings. His financial situation stabilizes, as does his living situation, since he becomes a property owner in Giverny. Through about thirty paintings showcased, the exhibition highlights the transition that took place at the end of the 19th century for Claude Monet, and how this life evolution influenced his art.
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A New Face of Monet Revealed
Rolling hills, poppies, landscapes of infinite sweetness… Monet has an almost obsessive passion for flowers and his garden. It's a passion he doesn’t hesitate to express on his canvases, though not without challenges: “Monet struggles to find a motif. He creates numerous sketches, constantly doubts himself, and destroys many works,” explains Cyrille Sciama, curator of the exhibition.
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An artist in perpetual renewal, he explores both landscapes and architecture, as well as light and colors. Every element of his paintings is thoughtfully crafted and analyzed. Discovering this new exhibition in Giverny will be a wonderful opportunity to see a different side of Monet, beyond the Nymphéas.
Before the Nymphéas. Monet discovers Giverny, 1883-1890
Musée des impressionnismes Giverny
99, rue Claude Monet — 27620, Giverny
From March 27 to July 5, 2026
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