Monet's famous 'Water Lilies' series is housed in the two spacious oval galleries on the first floor of the Musée de l'Orangerie.
The 'Water Lilies' series represents the essence of Monet's lifelong artistic creation.
The 'Water Lilies' series ushered in abstract painting for the new century, serving as a pivotal bridge between past and future.
Monet's 'Water Lilies' series was inspired by the water lily pond at his home in Giverny.
These eight monumental canvases, resembling panoramic cinema screens, are Monet's most iconic masterpieces.
Monet's 'Water Lilies' series focuses on landscapes and reflections over the pond.
Detail from one of the 'Water Lilies' series: Weeping willows and flowers often serve as the foreground, expanding the boundless sense of space.
Detail from one of the 'Water Lilies' series: Bold forms and subjective use of color.
Detail from one of the 'Water Lilies' series: On deep blue tones of shimmering light and illusion, rough contrasting colors float and accumulate to form shapes.
Detail from one of the 'Water Lilies' series: Infinite extension within reflections mirroring time and space.
Detail from one of the 'Water Lilies' series: Expressive brushstrokes swirl amidst blue and green hues.
Detail from one of the 'Water Lilies' series: Concrete floral forms when viewed from afar; expressive brushwork revealed up close.
Detail from one of the 'Water Lilies' series: This is a painting where the subject is no longer external, because painting itself becomes the subject.

Text and images by Chen Chi-Hsiang. The world-renowned late-period “Water Lilies” masterpiece series by Monet is housed in two spacious oval exhibition halls on the first floor of the Tuileries National Orangery Museum. This “Water Lilies” series represents the essence of Monet’s lifelong creation, opening the door to abstract painting in the new century as a pivotal series that connects the past and future. On November 11, 1918, the day of peace marking the end of World War I, Monet decided to donate this series to his country, France. According to his estate, the exhibition of these “Water Lilies” could only open after his death (in 1926), finally launching its permanent display at the Orangery on May 27, 1927.

The creative inspiration for Monet’s “Water Lilies” masterpiece series came from the water lily pond in his Giverny garden. The painter once said, “My most perfect work is my garden.” Indeed, there are paintings within the garden and gardens within the paintings. This lush, colorful, and picturesque garden, with its grassy lawns, blooming branches, and shimmering reflections, serves as a projection of Monet’s spirit. Starting in 1893, Monet focused on painting the pond, concentrating on the scenery and reflection effects above the water, attempting to unveil the veil of lotus flowers resting quietly amidst the light and shadows. To create this series, he built a large studio specifically in 1905. These eight monumental canvases, resembling cinematic panoramic screens, are Monet’s most iconic representative works. Ranging from figurative to semi-figurative, non-figurative, and even abstract, they feature bold forms, subjective colors, and expressive brushstrokes swirling between blue and green tones.

The natural scenery and light reflections on the pond exist between the figurative and non-figurative. Willow trees and flowers often serve as foreground elements, expanding the boundless space. Sometimes, rough contrasting colors accumulate into shapes floating on deep blue reflective surfaces, extending infinitely through time and spatial reflections. From a distance, the specific forms of flowers and plants are clear; up close, each stroke reveals its expressive quality. At times, one might wonder: Is this really water lilies? No, it is a painting. The painting no longer has a subject, because painting itself is the subject.