Monet's Venice

Monet visited Venice in 1908, relatively late in his career. He produced a total of 37 canvases of the city’s architectural landmarks. 

Monet took up a regular routine, beginning his day painting from St Mark’s Square, and ending it with his easel set up on the balcony of his suite in the Grand Hotel Britannia.

Given Venice's increasing popularity as a tourist destination at the time, it is a surprise to find Monet’s paintings of the city devoid of people. As a result, the paintings have an other-worldly feel.

When he was younger, Monet had said that he would never go to Venice, one of the most painted cities in the world, but after a few weeks he was already planning another trip to return. 

The trip to Venice was to be Monet’s last outside France. Monet concentrated on painting his beloved water garden at his home in Giverny, Normandy where he remained until his death in 1926.