Monet’s Nymphéas Set to Dazzle at Christie’s Inaugural Evening Sale in Hong Kong on September 26th 2024
“Colour is my daylong obsession, joy and torment.”
Claude Monet
Claude Monet’s Nymphéas (1897–99), a masterpiece from his pioneering Water Lilies series, is poised to be the highlight of Christie’s inaugural evening sale of 20th and 21st-century art at its new Asia headquarters in Hong Kong on September 26. Estimated to fetch between HK$200 million and HK$280 million ($25 million to $35 million), this painting stands as a rare and significant work, marking its first-ever appearance at auction.
Monet’s Nymphéas series is one of the most iconic and celebrated in the history of art. The series, which captures the serene beauty of the water lily pond at Monet’s home in Giverny, France, represents a pivotal moment in the artist’s career. This particular painting, which has remained in private hands for years after being held by Monet’s family, is among the first in the series and is notable for its immersive and innovative depiction of water, light, and atmosphere.
Cristian Albu, Deputy Chairman and Head of 20th/21st Century Art at Christie’s Asia Pacific, expressed the significance of this sale:
“We are proud to present the auction debut of this Nymphéas masterpiece by Claude Monet at Christie’s Inaugural Evening Sale at The Henderson. As one of the few remaining rare works from Monet’s pioneering first Water Lilies series that is still in a private collection, this painting is a true singular treasure. We are privileged to present this seminal painting to our discerning collectors in Asia, catering to the surging demands for iconic Western artworks of the highest calibre.”
Monet’s Nymphéas series is renowned for its exploration of the interplay between water and light, with the artist eliminating the traditional horizon line to draw viewers into the very heart of the pond. This innovative approach revolutionized landscape painting and had a profound influence on subsequent generations of artists. The work to be auctioned in Hong Kong exemplifies this radical approach, immersing the viewer in a shimmering aquatic world and capturing the constantly shifting relationships between water, atmosphere, and light.
Adrien Meyer, Global Head of Private Sales and Co-Chairman of Impressionist & Modern Art at Christie’s, emphasized the painting’s historical and artistic importance:
“Claude Monet’s Nymphéas are among the most influential images in modern art history. These Nymphéas reveal the pictorial innovations that would define his celebrated series. Presented for the first time at auction, it is no wonder that half of the paintings of this first series are already held in public institutions.”
The painting is one of only eight from this early Nymphéas series, with four others housed in prominent museums, the Musée Marmottan Monet in Paris the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Kagoshima City Museum of Art, and the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna in Rome. This rarity underscores the painting’s value and the excitement surrounding its upcoming sale.
The auction will take place in Christie’s new 50,000 square-foot Asia headquarters in The Henderson, a state-of-the-art building designed by Zaha Hadid Architects. This new venue, with its high ceilings and transformable galleries, provides the perfect setting for such a significant event, marking a new chapter in Christie’s presence in Asia.
With the sale of Monet’s Nymphéas, Christie’s is not only bringing one of the most treasured works of Western art to the Asian market but also continuing to foster a deep appreciation for Impressionist masterpieces in the region. This landmark auction is set to make history, further cementing Monet’s legacy as one of the greatest artists of all time and reinforcing his enduring appeal to collectors worldwide.
To read more see Christies press release here:
