Musée Marmottan

The Musée Marmottan is a must-see for any Monet lover. Several of his works were donated to the museum by a private collector in the mid 20^th century, and in the 1960s, Monet’s youngest son, Michel donated more. Michel also donated several of his father’s letters and pictures. I think the pictures of Monet may have been my favorite part. I love that he lived so recently that I can get a chance to know him in ways besides his paintings.

The most famous of Monet’s paintings at the Musée Marmottan would probably be Impression, Sunrise. Painted from Monet’s window in 1872, the painting was shown at the first independent exhibition by the Impressionists, who didn’t yet have that name. Monet had given the painting its title because he felt that he couldn’t rightfully call it a “view” of a sunset. Critics ran away with the term “Impressionism,” eventually applying it to the entire artistic movement. I find the painting interesting because the colors seem different from those in many of Monet’s other works. He used a lot of reds and oranges in Impression, Sunrise, whereas most of his paintings that I’m familiar with have more greens, purples, and blues.

I was also interested to see Houses of Parliament, which Monet had created during his self-imposed exile during the Franco-Prussian War. My favorite aspect of the painting is the water because it really does look wet. Monet painted it with thick strokes the paint looks like it must still be wet to the touch. I also love how real the sunlight streaming through the clouds seems.

Of course I also appreciated seeing Rouen Cathedral, Façade (Sunset), but I was disappointed to see that it was the only one of the series displayed. Monet repeatedly painted the façade of Rouen Cathedral so that he could depict it in all kinds of light. From what I’ve read, it sounds like the paintings are interesting individually, but fascinating all together.

I also recently found out that most of these paintings, including Impression, Sunrise, were stolen in the mid 1980s and were only returned in 1990. They had been found in Italy based on a tip from someone who had been asked to buy them. I really have to wonder why someone would steal those paintings. They’re so well known that it would be practically impossible to find a buyer for them. Maybe the thief just did it for the love of art. It certainly does seem more romantic that way.

Unfortunately, pictures weren't allowed in the Monet exhibit, so these are a few from online.