by Tom Gurney
Tom Gurney BSc (Hons) is an art history expert with over 20 years experience
Published on February 28, 2016 / Updated on February 28, 2026
Email: tomgurney1@gmail.com / Phone: +44 7429 011000
List of Featured Claude Monet Still Life Paintings
Claude Monet Still Life Paintings (Chronological)
| Title | Date | Current Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Still Life with Flowers and Fruit | 1869 | Private collection | One of Monet’s earliest mature still lifes; combines floral arrangement with fruit in darker academic style. |
| Fruit and Flowers | 1869 | Private collection | Traditional table composition showing Monet’s early engagement with academic still life conventions. |
| Vase of Flowers | 1871 | Private collection | Transitional work moving toward lighter Impressionist palette. |
| Vase of Chrysanthemums | 1878 | Musée d'Orsay, Paris | Large-scale immersive flower surface; marks renewed interest in floral still life. |
| Chrysanthemums | 1878 | Musée d'Orsay, Paris | Dense, close-up composition eliminating much background space. |
| Asters | 1880 | Private collection | Loose bouquet painted with energetic brushwork. |
| Bouquet of Sunflowers | 1881 | Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York | Bold yellows; thick impasto and simplified background. |
| Sunflowers | 1881 | Private collection | Closely related to Bouquet of Sunflowers; vibrant tonal contrasts. |
| Vase of Tulips | c.1885 | Various collections | Bright red and yellow tulips; dark ground heightens colour intensity. |
| White Azaleas in a Pot | 1885 | Private collection | Subtle tonal study dominated by whites and soft greens. |
| Still Life with Anemones | 1885 | Various collections | Rich reds and purples; expressive, almost abstract brushwork. |
| Peonies | 1887 | Private collection | Full-bodied blossoms painted with loose, atmospheric strokes. |
| Vase of Peonies | 1887 | Private collection | Larger, decorative floral surface; anticipates Giverny colour fields. |
| Hydrangeas | 1880s | Private collection | Clustered blooms rendered with emphasis on colour vibration. |
| Clematis | 1880s | Private collection | Climbing flowers arranged in vertical format. |
| Still Life: Bouquet of Gladioli, Lilies and Daisies | 1876 | Detroit Institute of Arts | Elongated composition featuring tall stems and layered petals. |
| Chrysanthemums | 1897 | Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York | Later decorative floral arrangement; flatter space. |
| Roses | 1890s | Private collection | Studio arrangement distinct from outdoor rose garden works. |
| Still Life with Eggs | 1864 | Private collection | Early academic still life demonstrating tonal modelling skills. |
| The Luncheon (Still Life Section) | 1873 | Musée d'Orsay, Paris | Though figurative overall, the floral arrangement within is treated as a distinct still life focus. |
Did Claude Monet Paint Many Still Life Works?
Monet is not primarily known as a still life painter, but he produced around 40 still life works throughout his career. Most were painted early in his development, though flower compositions continued into his later years at Giverny.
Why Did Monet Paint So Many Flowers?
Flowers allowed Monet to experiment with colour, light, and brushwork in a controlled setting. Later in life, especially at Giverny, flowers became both his artistic laboratory and his personal passion.
Were Monet's Still Lifes Painted Indoors or Outdoors?
Early still lifes were mostly painted indoors in studio settings. However, many later flower paintings were created outdoors in his garden at Giverny, blending still life with plein air technique.
How Do Monet's Still Lifes Differ from His Landscapes?
Monet's landscapes focus on atmospheric light and shifting environmental conditions, while his still lifes emphasise texture, surface colour, and compositional structure. The brushwork in later flower pieces becomes almost as loose as his water lilies.
Where Can Monet's Still Life Paintings Be Seen Today?
Monet's still lifes are held in major museums including the Musée d'Orsay in Paris, the Art Institute of Chicago, the National Gallery of Art in Washington, and several private collections.
