Claude Monet, the renowned French Impressionist painter, created a series of approximately 250 oil paintings depicting water lilies in his garden at Giverny. These works, known as the "Nymphéas" series, are among his most famous and valuable. In recent years, some of Monet's Water Lily paintings have sold for astronomical sums at auction, with prices reaching well over $25 million. For example, in 2014, one of Monet's Water Lily paintings sold for nearly $54 million at Sotheby's in London. The high prices these works command reflect their importance in art history, Monet's status as a master of Impressionism, and the enduring appeal of his serene, light-filled depictions of his garden pond.
Claude Monet, Nymphéas (1897–99) Image: Courtesy Christie's Images Ltd 2024.
Christie's Hong Kong is set to host a landmark auction on September 26, marking the opening of its new Asia-Pacific headquarters in The Henderson building. The star of this inaugural sale will be one of Claude Monet's "Nymphéas" paintings, a water lily work created 125 years ago. This piece is particularly significant as it represents one of Monet's earliest forays into the water lily theme, which would later become his most famous subject.
This auction marks the first time this particular water lily painting has been offered for sale publicly. Christie's has placed a pre-sale estimate of HK$200 million to HK$280 million on the work, equivalent to approximately $25 million to $35 million.
Known for his signature lace-up leather brief, the former Balmain embellishment expert launched his label in 2017 and has captured industry attention for his exploration of sex and sexuality through clothing.