120 years later, Monet’s Paintings of the Thames Reunited in London

The grey, fog-draped waters of the River Thames, with their ethereal blend of light and shadow, once captivated one of the world’s most renowned artists. Claude Monet, a master of capturing fleeting moments, obsessively painted the Thames during the early 20th century. Now, the Courtauld Gallery has reunited his works depicting the London river in a landmark exhibition, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view this profound series in its entirety for the first time in over 120 years.

Monet’s fascination with the Thames began during his extended visits to London between 1899 and 1901. Drawn to the interplay of fog, water, and light, he often stood on the balcony of his rooms at the Savoy Hotel or strolled along the riverbank, creating a series of canvases that captured his obsession with the river’s ever-changing atmosphere. The industrial haze of the city, mingling with the natural mist that often settled over the Thames, provided Monet with a subject that was both dreamy and elusive.

The Courtauld’s exhibition brings together around 40 of these paintings, showcasing the evolution of Monet’s technique and his deep engagement with London’s cityscape. Viewers are treated to Monet’s interpretations of iconic landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament, the ethereal bridges spanning the Thames, and the misty riverbanks. These works reflect not just an artist enamoured with his subject, but a master grappling with the challenge of rendering nature’s most ephemeral qualities on canvas.

Each painting in Monet’s Thames series offers a unique vision of the same river, with shifting colours, light, and mood. In some works, the river is veiled in thick fog, with the buildings of Westminster appearing as mere shadows in the distance. In others, the sun breaks through, casting an amber glow across the scene. This variation captures the Thames not as a static entity but as a living, breathing element, forever changing and reshaping itself.

This is the first time these works, scattered across collections worldwide, have been brought together since Monet’s own exhibition in 1904. At the time, critics offered mixed reviews, with some struggling to appreciate Monet’s impressionistic style and his focus on atmosphere over detailed representation. Today, however, these paintings are celebrated as masterpieces, capturing the heart and soul of London’s industrial landscape at the turn of the century.

The exhibition at the Courtauld provides more than just a visual feast—it offers a rare glimpse into Monet’s artistic process. His Thames paintings reveal a progression from capturing the external reality of London to expressing his inner vision of the city. In some canvases, the familiar outlines of London’s skyline dissolve into hazy, near-abstract swirls of colour, underscoring Monet’s transition towards a more impressionistic, even abstract, style.

Monet’s Thames series also stands as a testament to the profound influence of London’s environment on his work. While Paris was widely regarded as the artistic capital of the world, it was London’s shifting light and ever-present fog that revitalised Monet’s creative spirit. The Thames became the ideal subject for an artist dedicated to portraying the elusive nature of time and space.

This reunion of Monet’s Thames paintings at the Courtauld is not just an exhibition—it is a journey into the mind of one of the greatest painters of all time. For those fortunate enough to visit, it offers the opportunity to witness Monet’s obsession unfold across canvas after canvas, and to stand before the very works that once puzzled critics and have since become emblematic of the artist’s genius.

For art lovers and historians alike, this is a momentous occasion—a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see the Thames through Monet’s eyes. The exhibition invites viewers to experience the magic of a London long gone, yet immortalised in Monet’s brushstrokes. Whether bathed in sunlight or shrouded in mist, the river’s quiet beauty is there for all to see—just as it was for Monet over a century ago.

“Monet and London: Views of the Thames” is on view at the Courtauld Gallery in London until 19 January. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to stand in awe of Monet’s obsessive vision of the Thames, reunited at last. Witness a pivotal chapter in the history of Impressionism, brought vividly to life on the banks of the Thames.

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