August 20, 2026 · fr
For the centenary of Monet's death, Daniel Buren scatters his works in Giverny
French artist Daniel Buren takes over the gardens of Giverny for the centenary of Claude Monet's death, a surprising return after fifty years of absence.
Fifty years after his last visit, Daniel Buren (b. 1938) returns to Giverny, the estate immortalized by Claude Monet. To mark the centenary of the father of Impressionism's death, the French artist, famous for his colorful stripes, has agreed to install a series of site-specific works in the gardens that inspired the Water Lilies. The event, which runs throughout the summer of 2026, is part of the national commemorations around Monet.
Buren's pieces are scattered across the property, engaging in dialogue with the lily ponds, the flowered paths, and the architecture of the Norman house. The artist, who has left his mark on art history with his interventions in public spaces—from the courtyard of the Palais-Royal to ephemeral works in natural landscapes—has chosen to respond to Monet's legacy by exploring notions of perception and light. Visitors are invited to wander through a course punctuated by sculptures, flags, and striped patterns that reflect in the water.
This event adds to a broader program celebrating the Impressionist master, including the Normandie impressionniste festival. For Buren, this return to Giverny is steeped in history: he discovered the site in his early days, as he was moving away from painting to develop his formal vocabulary. The dialogue between his geometric forms and Monet's lush nature promises a unique sensory experience, blending contemporary art and heritage.
The exhibition, which enjoys wide media coverage, is expected to attract large crowds, as the site already draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Organizers hope that this encounter between two centuries of French art will allow Monet's work to be rediscovered from a novel angle, while questioning the permanence of his influence on subsequent generations. After Giverny, some works may be shown elsewhere in France, though nothing has been confirmed yet.
Written by the ADM desk based on Beaux Arts Magazine. Read the original article for the full story.
Source — Beaux Arts Magazine ↗