War and peace

This is one of the works produced by Monet when he moved from Paris to London to escape the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1). Leaving the conflict in France behind, he paints his new home as peaceful and atmospheric.

Reflection

The jetty in the foreground casts broken shadows on the river, and we can see the new foliage of the trees on the Embankment to the right.

Distant chimes

Monet shows the misty atmosphere of London on a spring day, with the Houses of Parliament in the background. You can almost hear Big Ben's 'bongs' ringing out over the river.