National Gallery, initial visit 6th August 2026
Monet and Renoir: Painting Side by Side
27 July - 15 September 2026
Room 41
My initial visit today, 6th August, was to see the two paintings but I also have a couple of bookings for the Renoir exhibition which starts in October. I have been intending to spend time looking at the general collection of The National Gallery for some time now!
The National Galleries were very busy today which was not unexpected. I arrived via 'The House' for the first time and will make use of the facilities during the Autumn.
27 July - 15 September 2026
Room 41
My initial visit today, 6th August, was to see the two paintings but I also have a couple of bookings for the Renoir exhibition which starts in October. I have been intending to spend time looking at the general collection of The National Gallery for some time now!
The National Galleries were very busy today which was not unexpected. I arrived via 'The House' for the first time and will make use of the facilities during the Autumn.
Claude Monet 1840-1926
Bathers at La Grenouillère 1869
oil on canvas
73 x 92 cm
Bequeathed by Mrs M.S. Walzer as part of the Richard and Sophie Walzer Bequest, 1979
The two paintings did look quite extraordinary in unusually close proximity to each other. There was no mistaking the parallel making in prevailing conditions and light. I do not need to worry about the precise content differences but can simply marvel at the consistent vision presented.
Bathers at La Grenouillère 1869
oil on canvas
73 x 92 cm
Bequeathed by Mrs M.S. Walzer as part of the Richard and Sophie Walzer Bequest, 1979
The two paintings did look quite extraordinary in unusually close proximity to each other. There was no mistaking the parallel making in prevailing conditions and light. I do not need to worry about the precise content differences but can simply marvel at the consistent vision presented.
Pierre-Auguste Renoir 1841-1919
La Grenouillère 1869
oil on canvas
66.5 x 81 cm
On loan from Nationalmuseum, Stockholm. Gift 1924 unknown donor through Nationalmusei Vänner
My intention is to follow up this visit during August and September ahead of the 'Renoir and Love' exhibition that opens in October:- 3 October 2026 - 31 January 2027
La Grenouillère 1869
oil on canvas
66.5 x 81 cm
On loan from Nationalmuseum, Stockholm. Gift 1924 unknown donor through Nationalmusei Vänner
My intention is to follow up this visit during August and September ahead of the 'Renoir and Love' exhibition that opens in October:- 3 October 2026 - 31 January 2027
Claude Monet 1840-1926
The Beach at Trouville 1870
oil on canvas
38 x 46.5 cm
Bought by NG, Courtauld Fund, 1924
I needed to check exposure and saw a 'favorite' small Monet painting across the room that was available to look at 'closely'. I did a couple of test shots and found that the 5000K option was giving the best result under the gallery lighting conditions. I did not have the refraction grating with me today!
The Beach at Trouville 1870
oil on canvas
38 x 46.5 cm
Bought by NG, Courtauld Fund, 1924
I needed to check exposure and saw a 'favorite' small Monet painting across the room that was available to look at 'closely'. I did a couple of test shots and found that the 5000K option was giving the best result under the gallery lighting conditions. I did not have the refraction grating with me today!
Claude Monet 1840-1926
The Gare St-Lazare 1877
oil on canvas
54.3 x 73.6 cm
Purchased NG, 1982
First follow-up visit and I was very pleased with the colour resolution of the two paintings and also the small Monet.
I quickly moved on to the St-Lazare as I had made a mental note on the previous visit that I should take a closer look. I think that one of this series of station paintings was illustrated in an Impressionist book that was present in my childhood home!
The Gare St-Lazare 1877
oil on canvas
54.3 x 73.6 cm
Purchased NG, 1982
First follow-up visit and I was very pleased with the colour resolution of the two paintings and also the small Monet.
I quickly moved on to the St-Lazare as I had made a mental note on the previous visit that I should take a closer look. I think that one of this series of station paintings was illustrated in an Impressionist book that was present in my childhood home!
Vincent van Gogh 1853-1890
Long Grass with Butterflies 1890
oil on canvas
64.5 x 81 cm
Purchased NG Courtauld Fund, 1926
I remembered this painting from the 2024-2025 exhibition.
The full field is still impressive even if the 'label' suggests that the path was 'added'!
Long Grass with Butterflies 1890
oil on canvas
64.5 x 81 cm
Purchased NG Courtauld Fund, 1926
I remembered this painting from the 2024-2025 exhibition.
The full field is still impressive even if the 'label' suggests that the path was 'added'!
Vincent van Gogh 1853-1890
Enclosed Field with Ploughman Saint-Rémy: late August, 1889
oil on canvas
49 x 62 cm
Acquired by NG from Private collection.
Once again, I remembered this painting from the 2024-2025 exhibition.
The sense of covering ground is evident here but the paint is clearly articulated throughout the composition.
Enclosed Field with Ploughman Saint-Rémy: late August, 1889
oil on canvas
49 x 62 cm
Acquired by NG from Private collection.
Once again, I remembered this painting from the 2024-2025 exhibition.
The sense of covering ground is evident here but the paint is clearly articulated throughout the composition.
Vincent van Gogh 1853-1890
Vincent's Chair with His Pipe Arles: December, 1888
oil on canvas
93 x 73.5 cm
Once again, I remembered this painting from the 2024-2025 exhibition which is great as having the paintings available for further 'contemplation' is just what is needed!
Vincent's Chair with His Pipe Arles: December, 1888
oil on canvas
93 x 73.5 cm
Once again, I remembered this painting from the 2024-2025 exhibition which is great as having the paintings available for further 'contemplation' is just what is needed!
Paul Cezanne 1839-1906
Avenue at Chantilly 1888
oil on canvas
82 x 66 cm
Acquired from the Chester Beatty family under the acceptance-in-lieu procedure, 1990
I had not seen this painting previously and very much enjoyed the light touch and layered composition. Once again my question is invoked, 'how many greens?' It is not just the greens of course and the transparent appearance is wonderful to see.
Avenue at Chantilly 1888
oil on canvas
82 x 66 cm
Acquired from the Chester Beatty family under the acceptance-in-lieu procedure, 1990
I had not seen this painting previously and very much enjoyed the light touch and layered composition. Once again my question is invoked, 'how many greens?' It is not just the greens of course and the transparent appearance is wonderful to see.
Paul Cezanne 1839-1906
Hillside in Provence, about 1890-2
oil on canvas
63.5 x 79.4 cm
Purchased NG, Courtauld Fund, 1926
I had looked at this painting at the time of the Tate Cezanne exhibition in 2022.
I was not then completely convinced by the sky and foreground and I am still finding them a bit empty!
Hillside in Provence, about 1890-2
oil on canvas
63.5 x 79.4 cm
Purchased NG, Courtauld Fund, 1926
I had looked at this painting at the time of the Tate Cezanne exhibition in 2022.
I was not then completely convinced by the sky and foreground and I am still finding them a bit empty!
Paul Cezanne 1839-1906
Curtain, Jug and Dish of Fruit 1893-4
59 x 72.4 cm
oil on canvas
On loan from a private collection
This is a painting that I suspect I've seen before but there are quite a few similar compositions. I was bemused by the frame shadow and the equivalent painted shadow as in the digital image.
The colour articulation is just gorgeous, throughout the painting.
Curtain, Jug and Dish of Fruit 1893-4
59 x 72.4 cm
oil on canvas
On loan from a private collection
This is a painting that I suspect I've seen before but there are quite a few similar compositions. I was bemused by the frame shadow and the equivalent painted shadow as in the digital image.
The colour articulation is just gorgeous, throughout the painting.
Paul Cezanne 1839-1906
Curtain, Jug and Dish of Fruit 1893-4
(detail)
Curtain, Jug and Dish of Fruit 1893-4
(detail)
Claude Monet 1840-1926
The Water-Lily Pond 1899
88.3 x 93.1 cm
oil on canvas
Purchased NG 1927
Now I'm wondering what happened to the multitude of 'greens' here? There is a certain tonal brightness but my suspicion is that the main 'colour' is over saturated and effectively overpowers adjacent values!
The Water-Lily Pond 1899
88.3 x 93.1 cm
oil on canvas
Purchased NG 1927
Now I'm wondering what happened to the multitude of 'greens' here? There is a certain tonal brightness but my suspicion is that the main 'colour' is over saturated and effectively overpowers adjacent values!
Claude Monet 1840-1926
Irises about 1914-17
200.7 x 149.9 cm
oil on canvas
Purchased NG 1967
The tendency towards white is also evident in the Iris painting.
Irises about 1914-17
200.7 x 149.9 cm
oil on canvas
Purchased NG 1967
The tendency towards white is also evident in the Iris painting.
Claude Monet 1840-1926
Water-Lilies 1917
148.5 x 164 cm
oil on canvas
On loan from a private collection
I was contemplating this painting when there was plenty os space and then suddenly the gallery space was filled with two or more parties with leading instructors!
Water-Lilies 1917
148.5 x 164 cm
oil on canvas
On loan from a private collection
I was contemplating this painting when there was plenty os space and then suddenly the gallery space was filled with two or more parties with leading instructors!
Claude Monet 1840-1926
I will be back, probably next week, to pick up the thread and see where it leads...
(I started again with this painting on 19th August and did manage to find the compositional structure in the top left corner which seemed a bit lost in the gloom at the first viewing.)
I will be back, probably next week, to pick up the thread and see where it leads...
(I started again with this painting on 19th August and did manage to find the compositional structure in the top left corner which seemed a bit lost in the gloom at the first viewing.)
Claude Monet 1840-1926
Bathers at La Grenouillère 1869
oil on canvas
73 x 92 cm
So, having actually started in the Monet room I wanted to check the lighting in the adjacent rooms with a replacement spectroscope (I lost the original one recently) and review the colour values.
Bathers at La Grenouillère 1869
oil on canvas
73 x 92 cm
So, having actually started in the Monet room I wanted to check the lighting in the adjacent rooms with a replacement spectroscope (I lost the original one recently) and review the colour values.
Pierre-Auguste Renoir 1841-1919
La Grenouillère 1869
oil on canvas
66.5 x 81 cm
The shots were consistently yellow so I have tried a simple switch on the two paintings, Renoir and Monet and the two other Monet paintings, both of which are no longer hanging in the same Gallery.
La Grenouillère 1869
oil on canvas
66.5 x 81 cm
The shots were consistently yellow so I have tried a simple switch on the two paintings, Renoir and Monet and the two other Monet paintings, both of which are no longer hanging in the same Gallery.
Claude Monet 1840-1926
The Beach at Trouville 1870
oil on canvas
38 x 46.5 cm
I wonder where 'The Beach at Trouville', picture of the month, August 2026 is now located!
The Beach at Trouville 1870
oil on canvas
38 x 46.5 cm
I wonder where 'The Beach at Trouville', picture of the month, August 2026 is now located!
Claude Monet 1840-1926
The Gare St-Lazare 1877
oil on canvas
54.3 x 73.6 cm
I will make a point of locating a 'map' of the National Gallery before revisiting next week...
The Gare St-Lazare 1877
oil on canvas
54.3 x 73.6 cm
I will make a point of locating a 'map' of the National Gallery before revisiting next week...
Pieter de Hooch, 1629-after 1684
The Courtyard of a House in Delft, 1658
oil on canvas
73.5 x 60 cm
Purchased NG, 1871
I wandered off around the galleries with a vague notion that I would find the Vermeer paintings towards the north west on the way to the Sainsbury Wing.
The Courtyard of a House in Delft, 1658
oil on canvas
73.5 x 60 cm
Purchased NG, 1871
I wandered off around the galleries with a vague notion that I would find the Vermeer paintings towards the north west on the way to the Sainsbury Wing.
Johannes Vermeer, 1632-1675
A Young Woman standing at a Virginal about 1670-2
oil on canvas
51.7 x 45.2 cm
Purchased NG, 1892
By contrast to the other galleries the de Hooch and Vermeer paintings are in a low ceilinged room claiming a message in perspective!
A Young Woman standing at a Virginal about 1670-2
oil on canvas
51.7 x 45.2 cm
Purchased NG, 1892
By contrast to the other galleries the de Hooch and Vermeer paintings are in a low ceilinged room claiming a message in perspective!
Johannes Vermeer, 1632-1675
A Young Woman seated at a Virginal about 1670-2
oil on canvas
51.5 x 45.5 cm
Salting Bequest, 1910
Somehow, all three paintings pictured here are set in my memory from previous viewing, not often actually at The National Gallery.
A Young Woman seated at a Virginal about 1670-2
oil on canvas
51.5 x 45.5 cm
Salting Bequest, 1910
Somehow, all three paintings pictured here are set in my memory from previous viewing, not often actually at The National Gallery.
Claude Monet 1840-1926
Water-Lilies 1917
200.7 x 426.7 cm
oil on canvas
On loan from a private collection
I had only snapped the Water Lilies on the iPhone as the gallery was so busy but on comparing this image to the one that the NG offers for download I am very happy with the result!
I might try a capture with the DSLR at some point as the colour depth may be better. Looking at the painting today I was struck by the sheer amount of re-working that is involved in building the surface and I presume 'finding' the final colour values.
Water-Lilies 1917
200.7 x 426.7 cm
oil on canvas
On loan from a private collection
I had only snapped the Water Lilies on the iPhone as the gallery was so busy but on comparing this image to the one that the NG offers for download I am very happy with the result!
I might try a capture with the DSLR at some point as the colour depth may be better. Looking at the painting today I was struck by the sheer amount of re-working that is involved in building the surface and I presume 'finding' the final colour values.
Site Updated August 2026 Felix Mottram