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"I spend my life painting". A Claude Monet journey in the impressionist gallery

Photo : Musée d'Orsay, dist. GrandPalaisRmn / Laetitia Striffling-Marcu

Oct 13 – Jan 24

"I spend my life painting". A Claude Monet journey in the impressionist gallery

Forget the romantic cliché of the artist simply capturing the light on a whim. This deep dive into Monet’s process reveals the meticulous, calculated labor hiding behind his seemingly effortless masterpieces. Through recently restored works and personal letters, you will discover the relentless perfectionist buried deep within the impressionist icon.

Musée d'Orsay (Paris 7th)

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Discover the hidden intricacies of Claude Monet’s craft in the exhibition "Je passe ma vie à peindre" at the Musée d'Orsay. Running from September 30, 2026, to January 24, 2027, this display showcases five recently restored paintings to reveal the calculated labor behind the artist's seemingly spontaneous impressionist masterpieces. With the expertise of the Centre de Recherche et de Restauration des Musées de France, the exhibition explores how Monet navigated technical challenges to capture his unique sensations of light and landscape. Tickets for this exhibition range from 0 to 16 euros, depending on your eligibility.

Five paintings, recently studied or restored, reveal another facet of his art, less spontaneous than it seems. Retracing the first decades of his career up to the turn of the century, his paintings show him in his quest to paint outdoors and to render his "sensation". They brilliantly translate the atmosphere of the banks of the Seine or the tumultuous waves of the sea, the spring greenery or the harsh winter of nearby or distant landscapes, which his brush transfigures. But beneath this dazzling ease hides a relentless quest: to paint a three-meter canvas in his garden; to compose a snow landscape; to evoke a life-size family meal, with or without guests, or even, quite concretely, to decide whether or not to varnish his painting. These are all questions that Monet asked himself and which will be addressed in this exhibition, developed with the support of the Centre de Recherche et de Restauration des Musées de France and Bénédicte Trémolières, a restorer specializing in the artist, as well as with the participation of several restorers. The whole allows us, thanks also to the presentation of some letters, to meet the artist, at the heart of his work and his creative process.

Our take on this event

Featuring five paintings selected for their historical significance, the Musée d'Orsay offers an in-depth look into the artistic process of Claude Monet. Covering the early decades of his career up to the turn of the century, the exhibition highlights the meticulous effort required to translate nature, snow-covered landscapes, and family scenes onto canvas, challenging the common perception of his work as purely instinctive.

Developed in collaboration with restoration specialist Bénédicte Trémolières, the display uses scientific analysis and archival letters to examine the concrete decisions Monet faced—from varnishing techniques to the staging of large-scale outdoor works. It provides a rare glimpse into the artist's studio and the rigorous planning that defined his career.

The exhibition is open from September 30, 2026, to January 24, 2027. You can visit from Tuesday to Sunday, 09:30 to 18:00, with extended evening hours on Thursdays until 21:45. The museum is located on the Esplanade Valéry Giscard d'Estaing. Admission prices vary from 0 to 16 euros.

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