When a work by Claude Monet enters the auction houses of Christie’s or Sotheby’s, it swiftly attains the status of a premier lot in an upcoming sale, often surpassing its appraised value. The presence of Monet’s pieces at auction transforms the event into a thrilling spectacle, marked by fervor, passion, and remarkable prices.
The highest-valued paintings by Claude Monet, considered priceless masterpieces of the renowned Impressionist artist, are now housed in various museums globally. This outcome owes much to art dealers and philanthropists who generously donated their collections to museums worldwide in the previous century. Assigning a monetary value to iconic works such as “Impression, Sunrise” or the eight Water Lilies murals at the Musée de l’Orangerie proves challenging. Monet’s extensive output, including numerous water lily paintings, could easily adorn the walls of a private parlor.
- Grainstack (Haystack), 1891:
- Auctioned at Christie’s in 2016.
- Sold for $81,447,500.
- In 1891, Monet invited Paul Durand-Ruel to Giverny to showcase a new series featuring haystacks in various seasons and lighting conditions. The legendary Knoedler & Co gallery initially owned this painting, setting a Monet record at the 2016 auction.
- Pond with Water Lilies, 1919:
- Auctioned at Christie’s in 2008.
- Sold for $80,451,178.
- Originally acquired directly from Monet by the Bernheim—Jeune Gallery, this artwork changed hands multiple times, eventually fetching an impressive price at the 2008 auction.
- The Water Lilies, 1906:
- Auctioned at Sotheby’s in 2014.
- Sold for $54,071,001.
- Paul Durand-Ruel, a key Impressionist art dealer, played a crucial role in Monet’s career. This painting, part of Monet’s late-life series, exemplifies the artist’s revolutionary approach to capturing the essence of water lilies.
- The Water Lilies, 1905:
- Auctioned at Sotheby’s in 2015.
- Sold for $54,010,000.
- Owned by the Durand-Ruel and Bernheim—Jeune Galleries before finding its way to the Kunsthaus Zürich and eventually the Wildenstein gallery, this artwork reflects Monet’s transformative period from 1905 to 1907.
- The Water Lilies, 1905:
- Auctioned at Christie’s in 2012.
- Sold for $43,762,500.
- A significant piece from Monet’s water lilies series, this painting, like many others, passed through the hands of the Durand-Ruel and Bernheim—Jeune Galleries before being auctioned in 2012 at Christie’s. The sale was part of a broader trend where wealthy collectors, affected by tax changes, had to part with cherished masterpieces.
These masterpieces, often intertwined with the histories of influential galleries and collectors, continue to captivate the art world, with their auction prices attesting to the enduring allure of Claude Monet’s work.
