Houses of Parliament, London

Claude Monet, an acclaimed French Impressionist painter, is widely renowned for his captivating landscapes and ‘en plein air’ (outdoor) painting style. One of his standout works includes the “Houses of Parliament, London” series, offering an exquisite depiction of the British architectural marvel. Monet’s Houses of Parliament series, crafted during the twilight of the 19th century, remain integral to the history of Impressionist art.

The Houses of Parliament, London paintings were predominantly created during Monet’s three-month stay in London, from September to December of 1899, and subsequently in early 1900 and 1901. The final works were completed back in his Giverny studio in France in 1904. This series includes nearly 19 known canvases that illustrate the majestic Gothic Revival edifice from Monet’s vantage point at St. Thomas’ Hospital across the River Thames.

What makes the “Houses of Parliament, London” series exceptional lies in Monet’s exploration of the atmospheric changes on the architectural form. The ever-changing English weather offered Monet a myriad of differing lighting and fog conditions, which he exploited to create various renditions of the same subject. Each painting captures the Parliament buildings at different times of the day and in varying weather conditions, reflecting the ephemeral nature of light and color.