One of the most celebrated figures in the history of art, Claude Monet, is synonymous with the Impressionist movement. Over a span of several decades, he painted around 250 pieces featuring his iconic water lilies, a series that continues to captivate audiences worldwide. Monet’s Nymphéas, or Water Lilies, which he began in 1896, are now considered quintessential examples of his approach to capturing nature and the fluidity of light. These works, which stem from his private garden in Giverny, remain among the most enduring images of modern art.
Now, after more than 125 years in private hands, one of Monet’s early Water Lilies paintings will make its long-awaited debut at auction. The piece, measuring 2.5 feet by 3 feet and dating from 1897 to 1899, will be the centerpiece of Christie’s Hong Kong 20th/21st Century Evening Sale on September 26. This auction is also significant as it will mark the opening of Christie’s new Asia-Pacific headquarters in The Henderson building, designed by the renowned architect Zaha Hadid.
Adrien Meyer, Global Head of Private Sales and Co-Chairman of Impressionist & Modern Art at Christie’s, commented on the significance of this sale, stating, “Claude Monet’s Nymphéas are among the most influential images in modern art history. These early works reveal the innovative techniques that would later define the entire series. It is no surprise that half of the paintings from this initial group are now housed in public collections around the world.”
This particular Water Lilies painting is one of only eight from Monet’s earliest group of water lily works. Of these, four are now in major museums, including the Musée Marmottan Monet in Paris, the Kagoshima City Museum of Art, the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna in Rome, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
Having remained in the Monet family for many years after Claude’s death, this piece eventually entered a private collection where it has remained until now. The public will have the opportunity to view the painting, alongside other notable works in the auction, a few days before the live sale.
In addition to Monet’s masterpiece, the auction will feature a range of significant works, including pieces by Yayoi Kusama, Kazuo Shiraga, and Georg Baselitz. Notable works such as Zao Wou Ki’s 05.06.80– Triptyque (1980), Vincent Van Gogh’s Les canots amarrés (1887), and René Magritte’s La préméditation (1943) will also be part of the event.
In 2021, another of Monet’s Water Lilies paintings broke the record for the highest price ever achieved for a Western artwork sold on mainland China. The 1913 piece Le Bassin Aux Nymphéas fetched an impressive $24 million (including fees). The painting going to auction in September is expected to rival that figure, with an estimated price range of $25 million to $35 million USD, or approximately $200 million to $280 million HKD.
With such a rich legacy and immense historical significance, this Monet painting promises to be one of the most talked-about lots in the upcoming auction.
