The Doge's Palace Seen from San Giorgio Maggiore

Claude Monet

1908 · Oil on canvas · European Paintings

Monet visited Venice for the first time in autumn 1908. Captivated by the "unique light," he embarked on a painting campaign featuring four different areas of the cityscape. He began each day with views such as this one, showing the airy façade of the Palazzo Ducale (or the Doge’s Palace) from across the water on the islet of San Giorgio Maggiore. Monet departed Venice reluctantly, writing "It's so beautiful . . . . I console myself with the thought of returning next year, for I was only able to make attempts, beginnings." Although he never returned, Monet continued working on his canvases. The present picture and twenty-eight others were exhibited to acclaim in Paris in the spring of 1912.

Artist

Claude Monet

Date

1908

Medium

Oil on canvas

Department

European Paintings

Credit line

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Charles S. McVeigh, 1959