Modern and timeless, the painting The bassin aux nymphéas captures the dynamism and beauty of the transience of nature, exploring the ephemeral atmosphere, the seasonal blooms, the aquatic depths and the sparkling reflections of light of the famous water lily pond of Many in Giverny.
Le bassin aux nymphéas dates back to 1917-1919, a very important period of experimentation in Monet's practice during which he achieved a new painterly vision of the water lily pond, stimulated by his desire to create mural-sized images of the motif rather than smaller images. waterscapes that he had created previously. These grand and monumental depictions were filled with gestural and vigorous flashes of color that come together to form the aquatic landscape, the vibrancy and gestural quality of the brushwork revealing the impressive energy behind the artist's paintings, even in this advanced stage of his career. These groundbreaking compositions were initially met with mixed reactions from Monet's contemporaries, but later found favor with a younger generation of artists and collectors in the final decades of the XNUMXth century, particularly among painters of the burgeoning Abstract Expressionism movement . Monet's water lily paintings are among the most coveted Impressionist masterpieces today and celebrated of his work, with examples held in the most esteemed private and institutional collections around the world.
This superb example has been held in the same family collection for over fifty years
It is estimated that the proceeds will exceed $65 million. Le bassin aux nymphéas, which has never been exhibited or offered at auction, is nevertheless that rarest of things: a rediscovered masterpiece. Densely worked, impeccably preserved, and hidden in the same private collection since 1972, Le bassin aux nymphéas remains as stunning today as it was 100 years ago.
Le bassin aux nymphéas is a key example of this famous series of works dedicated to water lilies, which it measures more than two meters wide. A Monet Water Lily of this size and quality has not been auctioned since a canvas in the historic May 2018 sale of the Collection of Peggy and David Rockefeller achieved a price of $84,7 million.
