Taiwan's first exclusive exhibition of the works by French Impressionist painter Claude Monet opened earlier this month at the Taipei Fine Arts Museum, which showcases a total of 32 masterpieces of the artist, including "Sleeping Lotus".

Claude Monet's paintings transform throughout the day due to the artist's use of light layers. Many museum visitors say that they feel like they are stepping into a garden and can feel the warmth of the sunlight as they view Monet's paintings.

In his later years, Monet lived in a suburb of Paris and painted scenes from his own garden.

Due to his deteriorating vision, he often relied on his memory and imagination to paint his rose garden. His series of yellow and purple iris paintings number among some of his most famous later works.

Monet had a Japanese bridge constructed in his garden, and many of his later paintings were influenced by the Japanese ukiyo-e genre and featured Zen scenes.

This canvas, which was completed two months before his death, depicts roses as cherry blossoms.

Although Monet did not live in poverty like many of his contemporaries, he did suffer from poor health and underwent three cataract surgeries in his later years.

Even so, he began painting on a larger and larger scale as he aged. Museum visitors should take their time exploring Monet's paintings, and experience the beauty and tranquility found within.