Artwork
London. Parliament. Reflections on the Thames

London. Parliament. Reflections on the Thames is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Claude Monet. It dates from 1905 and is held in the collection of the Musée Marmottan Monet.
About this work
Overview
This oil painting, created by Claude Monet in 1905, captures a foggy scene along the Thames River in London, with the Houses of Parliament faintly visible in the background. The work is part of the collection at the Musée Marmottan Monet.
Subject & Meaning
The painting focuses on the atmospheric interplay between the fog-shrouded Thames and the reflected silhouettes of London's landmarks, particularly the Houses of Parliament. The dominant gray and blue hues, accented with yellow and orange, evoke a sense of misty depth.
Technique & Style
Monet employed a palette dominated by grays and blues to convey the foggy atmosphere, introducing touches of yellow and orange for depth. The reflection of the Parliament buildings on the water, achieved through layered brushwork, enhances the sense of spatial ambiguity and captures the fleeting effects of light.
History & Provenance
Completed in 1905, the painting is now housed at the Musée Marmottan Monet, part of the museum's collection of Monet's works.
Context
This piece is characteristic of Monet's later works focusing on the play of light and atmosphere in urban landscapes, distinct from his earlier emphasis on rural scenes.
Legacy
The painting exemplifies Monet's contribution to capturing the modern, industrial cityscape through the lens of Impressionist techniques, influencing subsequent depictions of urban fog and light effects.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Oscar-Claude Monet was born in Paris on November 14, 1840, and raised from the age of five in Le Havre, where he began selling charcoal caricatures as a teenager.



















