Located on the west corner of Jardin des Tuileries in Paris, Musee de L’Orangerie was built in 1852 to shelter the acidic citrus fruits during the chilly winters. Today, it houses some of the most famous Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art, i...
Also Known As
L'Orangerie
Founded On
1852
Founded By
Camille Lefèvre, Claude Monet, Napoleon III
Did you know?
Pierre-Auguste Renoir, a dear friend of Monet, gifted one of his paintings, "Bathers with a Crab," to the French state on the condition that it be displayed at Musée de l'Orangerie. The painting is now part of the museum's collection.
The Water Lilies series at Musée de l'Orangerie was a lifelong project for Monet, and he worked on it for over 30 years until he died in 1926.
Before becoming a museum, the Orangerie hosted the Salon des Tuileries, an annual art exhibition that showcased contemporary French art. Only at the beginning of the 20th century was the Orangerie turned into an art gallery museum.
The Orangerie Museum is famous for its exceptional collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings, prominently featuring Claude Monet's Water Lilies series. These monumental works, displayed in specially designed oval rooms, mesmerize everyone with their ethereal depiction of light and nature. Additionally, the museum houses works by artists such as Cézanne, Picasso, and Matisse, offering a comprehensive journey through the evolution of modern art.
While primarily celebrated for its exquisite collection of paintings, the museum also houses a notable selection of sculptures. You can admire works by Auguste Rodin, such as "The Kiss" and "The Thinker," alongside statues by other renowned artists of the period. These sculptures complement the museum's impressive array of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces, offering a multifaceted exploration of artistic expression.
The Orangerie Museum in Paris features a captivating display of decorative arts, notably renowned for its exquisite porcelain works. You can marvel at intricately crafted pieces from various periods and regions, ranging from intricate vases to meticulously crafted tableware, showcasing the mastery of porcelain craftsmanship. These pieces give a unique insight into past eras' cultural and artistic heritage, enriching the museum's diverse collection.
The museum's crown jewel, Claude Monet's "Water Lilies" series, is displayed in specially designed oval rooms, immersing the spectators in an enchanting world of color, light, and reflection. Monet's masterful depiction of his beloved Giverny pond remains an enduring testament to the artist's genius and the essence of Impressionism.
Henri Matisse's "Boudoir" exemplifies the expressionist genre of painting. This captivating scene depicts a woman in a boudoir, showcasing Matisse's exploration of light and form in his later period. Bold colors and simplified forms define this artwork, revealing the artist's profound mastery of the human form and spatial dynamics.
André Derain's "Portrait de Paul Guillaume" masterfully captures the essence of the French art dealer. Cool tones lend a sense of detachment, while the three-quarter pose exudes refinement and grace. This compelling portrayal showcases Derain's talent in human form, marking a poignant work from his later period.
Pablo Picasso's "Woman with Tambourine," an etching and aquatint piece from 1939, presents a striking depiction of a nude woman holding a tambourine. Bold colors underscore Picasso's adeptness in Cubist light and form. This artwork, inspired by his muse Dora Maar, is a significant addition to Picasso's late 1930s, capturing the essence of his artistic growth.
Maurice Utrillo's "Great Cathedral" presents a nuanced portrayal of the 13th-century Sainte-Croix Cathedral of Orléans. The artist's innovative technique blends glue, plaster, and cement, creating an unusual white texture with hints of gray and brown. This unfinished masterpiece showcases Utrillo's meticulous approach, revealing the preparatory layer and his precise use of rulers and compasses.
"Bather with Long Hair" by Auguste Renoir depicts a graceful figure emerging from water, her bust adorned with a delicate white drape. The flowing golden hair mirrors the gentle movement of background foliage, imbuing the scene with timeless vibrancy. Renoir's mastery of soft, rounded features harmoniously captures a portrait of captivating, undulating beauty.
The Orangerie Museum is a neoclassical-style building that was originally built in 1852 by architect Firmin Bourgeois and decorated by artist Louis Visconti. It was originally built as a winter shelter for the orange trees for the Tuileries Gardens. Eventually, the space was used as a venue for banquets, exhibitions, concerts, and shows.
Orangerie Museum is a famous art gallery of impressionist and post-impressionist paintings in Paris.
Orangerie Museum is situated in the west corner of the Tuileries Gardens right next to the Place de la Concorde in Paris.
The Orangerie Museum is a famous art museum in Paris. It is well-known for its collection of late 19th and early 20th century paintings, a highlight being the monumental Water Lilies cycle by Claude Monet.
Your Orangerie Museum tickets start from €12.50.
Architect Firmin Bourgeois built the Orangerie Museum. In 1852, Napoleon III built the Orangerie to store the citrus trees of the Tuileries Gardens from the cold.
The Orangerie Museum was established in the year 1852.
On your visit to Orangerie Museum, you can see the famous Water Lilies by Claude Monet, access permanent and temporary exhibitions, check out Tutelary figures, and more.
The Orangerie Museum is open every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 9 AM to 6 PM. It is closed on Tuesdays, 1 May, 25 December, and the morning of 14 July.
There are about 156 paintings on permanent display that have been conceived between the end of the 19th century and the early 20th century, like the Water Lilies by Claude Monet and the collection of Domenica Walter.
The Orangerie Museum is important as it houses the eight large Water Lilies murals by Claude Monet and also portrays works by Paul Cezanne, Amedeo Modigliani, Pablo Picasso, and more.