Using the work of Monet as a starting point, this landmark exhibition examines the role gardens played in the evolution of art from the early 1860s through to the 1920s. I loved the Monets. He loved his garden at Giverny and that shows in the the number of times he painted the same thing. Waterlilies, waterlilies and waterlilies. They are quite spectacular. From the early works ("Japanese Footbridge", "White Waterlilies", "The Pond with Waterlilies", five more "Waterlilies", "The Artist's Garden", two "Monet's Garden at Giverny" and "Peonies".
Unfortunately the other paintings in the Royal Academy's sold out exhibition were underwhelming. But I'm not a great art lover. Renoir, Matisse and Van Gogh are there for the connoisseur. Although I did like Camille Pissaro's "Jean Pissaro - Sitting in the Garden".
The photos of Monet in his garden were interesting that were displayed in books and magazines. I didn't know that Monet stayed behind in his garden at the outbreak of WW1 when the family left. And I was not prepared for the magnificent display of big later works from 1914. There is one huge painting of waterlilies with just three open brightly shining in a darker background. Wonderful.
Ten more large paintings fill the room. There is one of "Day Lilies" which, as a modest gardner, I know as Hemerocallis. Mine failed last year. Then at the very last room are the monumental canvasses; one very large painting of "Waterlilies" and then the triptch. Three awesome pictures from three different museums.
There were far too many people in the first rooms, I cannot believe the Academy let so many people in when they were charging a lot for a ticket. Fortunately, the last two rooms were far less crowded.
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