Peninsula art scene: Monet and Venice at the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park

Claude Monet was a late comer to Venice, visiting for the first time in 1908 when he was 68. Monet had canceled a planned exhibition of his Water Lilies, unhappy with how the works had progressed, and he needed a break. His wife, Alice, proposed Venice. The city so energized him that what had been intended as a two week trip ended up being a two-month stay during which Monet produced 37 paintings. He used a gondola as a floating studio, working on the same view every day at the same time. “Monet and Venice” is the first exhibition dedicated to Monet’s Venetian paintings since their debut in Paris over a century ago. More than 20 of his paintings of the Italian city are reunited, set among select works from across his career, including his iconic Water Lilies. Monet and Venice is on view at the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, San Francisco. Through July 26. For more information or tickets visit famsf.org/exhibitions/monet-venice.

Monet and Venice access day. People with disabilities and their guests are invited to make an appointment to visit on May 11 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Accessible features will include extra Blue Zone spaces, extra seating inside and outside, and large print editions of the exhibition labels. To reserve space visit https://www.famsf.org/events/monet-venice-access-day. For more information email accessday@famsf.org or call (415) 750-7678.