Bridge over a Pond of Water Lilies

In 1893, Monet, a passionate horticulturist, purchased land with a pond near his property in Giverny, intending to build something "for the pleasure of the eye and also for motifs to paint." The result was his water-lily garden. In 1899, he began a series of eighteen views of the wooden footbridge over the pond, completing twelve paintings, including the present one, that summer. The vertical format of the picture, unusual in this series, gives prominence to the water lilies and their reflections on the pond.

Monet painted over 250 versions of his flower garden at Giverny. Many of the works were painted while Monet suffered from cataracts and their changing colours reflect the changes in his eyesight.

Credit: H. O. Havemeyer Collection, Bequest of Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, 1929