The Alte Nationalgalerie presents Claude Monet’s three earliest views of Paris from the year 1867. This is the first European exhibition of the series since these scenes were painted. The works are considered the first Impressionist cityscapes and inspired artists such as Gustave Caillebotte (1848–1894) and Camille Pissarro (1830–1903) to produce paintings of the modern city under renewal.

Monet’s series of paintings from 1867 cast a new creative eye on the modern city. The artist did not visit the famous Louvre to copy works of the Old Masters, as was customary, instead painting the vibrant life of Paris from his balcony. In doing so, he literally turned his back on art historical tradition and concerned himself with the present in the growing metropolis.

This resulted in three remarkable views of Paris, depicting Saint Germain l’Auxerrois, the Jardin de l’Infante, and the Quai du Louvre. Today, these works are in the collections of the Nationalgalerie in Berlin, the Allen Memorial Art Museum at Oberlin College (Ohio, USA), and the Kunstmuseum Den Haag, respectively. Collaboration between the three museums has made it possible to reunite the important paintings.

Beginning with these three works, the exhibition traces the rediscovery of the city as a motif by Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artists following in the tradition of Monet (1840–1926) and ranging from Maximilien Luce (1858–1941) to Henri Matisse (1869–1954). This concise exhibition on the Impressionist cityscape comprises around twenty works of painting, photography and graphic art.

Curatorial Team

The exhibition, curated by Ralph Gleis ‒ his final contribution as outgoing director of the Alte Nationalgalerie ‒ is supported by Josephine Hein, curatorial assistant.

Exhibition Publication

An extensively illustrated catalogue in German and English, edited by Ralph Gleis and Josephine Hein and published by Hirmer Verlag, accompanies the exhibition. The catalogue is published with the kind support of the Leinemann-Kunststiftung Nikolassee.

Audio Guide

In the exhibition, an audio guide is available in the following languages: German, German Easy Language, English, French.

Prices / Tickets

Admission to the Alte Nationalgalerie for the duration of the special exhibition is 14 euros, concessions 7 euros. Tickets can already be purchased in the Online Ticket Shop. There are no time slot tickets.

An exhibition of the Alte Nationalgalerie – Staatliche Museen zu Berlin in co-operation with the Kunstmuseum Den Haag and the Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin College, Ohio, USA, made possible by the Freunde der Nationalgalerie and sponsored by the Berliner Volksbank.