The artwork “Houses of Parliament, Westminster” by Claude Monet dates back to 1900 – 1901 and is a part of the “Houses of Parliament” series. This particular piece aligns with the Impressionism art movement, and is characterized as a cityscape, demonstrating Monet’s fascination with the interplay of light, color, and atmosphere.
The artwork presents a softly blurred depiction of the Houses of Parliament in Westminster. The brushstrokes exhibit the quintessential Impressionist technique, favoring the perception of light and movement over precise detail. Monet’s treatment of color transitions evokes the fleeting nature of light reflecting off the Thames River and the Gothic architecture of the buildings. Flecks of warm hues suggest the presence of the sun breaking through what appears to be a misty or hazy sky. The composition lacks sharp lines, imbuing the scene with a sense of ephemeral beauty, characteristic of Monet’s work during this period. This portrayal is one among several where Monet captured the Houses of Parliament at different times of day and varying atmospheric conditions, emphasizing his study of how light and weather transform the perception of a consistent subject.