Claude Monet: Questioning Nature

7 February [Sat] - 24 May [Sun], 2026

The Impressionist painter Claude Monet (1840-1926) was fascinated by the beauty of natural light. While exploring ways to express that beauty, he created innovative landscape paintings that intertwine the worldview and lyricism of a new era. This exhibition closely traces the development of Monet’s career through places, including Le Havre, Argenteuil, Vetheuil, and Giverny, and periods significant for describing his work. It will also elucidate his creative context and inspirations by examining paintings, photographs, ukiyo-e prints and Art Nouveau crafts from the same era. It will also include an immersive video, a tribute to Monet by contemporary artist Ange Leccia. This exhibition will display 90 works from the Musée d’Orsay, including more than 40 of the paintings by Monet that are the museum’s pride and joy, plus works from the Artizon Museum, other museums in Japan, and private collections. Through these approximately 140 works we explore Monet’s fascination as a landscape painter.

Exhibition overview

Exhibition title: Claude Monet: Questioning Nature

Exhibition period: 7 February [Sat] - 24 May [Sun], 2026

Opening hours: 10:00 - 18:00 (until 20:00 on Fridays except March 20)

Closed: February 16 [Mon], March 16 [Mon], April 13 [Mon], May 11 [Mon]

Organizer: Artizon Museum, Ishibashi Foundation; Musée d’Orsay; Nikkei Inc.; NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation)

Under the auspices of: Embassy of France / French Institute of Japan

Art works

Claude Monet, Study of a Figure Outdoors (Facing Right), 1886, Musée d’Orsay<br />
Photo © GrandPalaisRmn (musée d’Orsay) / Stéphane Maréchalle/ distributed by AMF

Claude Monet, Study of a Figure Outdoors (Facing Right), 1886, Musée d’Orsay
Photo © GrandPalaisRmn (musée d’Orsay) / Stéphane Maréchalle/ distributed by AMF

Claude Monet, Hôtel des Roches Noires, Trouville, 1870, Musée d’Orsay <br />
Photo © GrandPalaisRmn (musée d’Orsay) / Gabriel de Carvalho / distributed by AMF <br />

Claude Monet, Hôtel des Roches Noires, Trouville, 1870, Musée d’Orsay
Photo © GrandPalaisRmn (musée d’Orsay) / Gabriel de Carvalho / distributed by AMF

Claude Monet, The Rue Montorgueil, 30th of June 1878, 1878, Musée d’Orsay<br />
Photo © Musée d’Orsay, Dist. GrandPalaisRmn / Patrice Schmidt / distributed by AMF<br />

Claude Monet, The Rue Montorgueil, 30th of June 1878, 1878, Musée d’Orsay
Photo © Musée d’Orsay, Dist. GrandPalaisRmn / Patrice Schmidt / distributed by AMF

Claude Monet, Regatta at Argenteuil, c. 1872, Musée d’Orsay <br />
Photo © Musée d’Orsay, Dist. GrandPalaisRmn / Patrice Schmidt / distributed by AMF<br />

Claude Monet, Regatta at Argenteuil, c. 1872, Musée d’Orsay
Photo © Musée d’Orsay, Dist. GrandPalaisRmn / Patrice Schmidt / distributed by AMF

Claude Monet, Monet’s Garden at Giverny, 1900, Musée d’Orsay <br />
Photo © GrandPalaisRmn (musée d’Orsay) / Adrien Didierjean / distributed by AMF <br />

Claude Monet, Monet’s Garden at Giverny, 1900, Musée d’Orsay
Photo © GrandPalaisRmn (musée d’Orsay) / Adrien Didierjean / distributed by AMF

Claude Monet, Houses of Parliament : Effect of Sunlight in the Fog, 1904, Musée d’Orsay<br />
Photo © GrandPalaisRmn (musée d’Orsay) / Hervé Lewandowski / distributed by AMF<br />

Claude Monet, Houses of Parliament : Effect of Sunlight in the Fog, 1904, Musée d’Orsay
Photo © GrandPalaisRmn (musée d’Orsay) / Hervé Lewandowski / distributed by AMF