Paris 2016: Musee d’Orsay

This piece will be mainly photos because how else can one express the visual feast we experienced on our second day of sight-seeing in Paris?

The L’Ouvre was first on our itinerary, but trying to find the Mona Lisa, which was on my sister’s list of ‘must sees’ took ages. Standing behind such a large crowd that actually seeing the famous painting was fairly impossible, Susanne agreed with my estimation of that painting and the museum in general; it’s not worth the fuss.

 

We headed for the Musee d’Orsay instead, stopping for lunch in a real French (as opposed to tourist French) eatery where I had the best Salad Nicoise that I’ve tasted anywhere.

Once inside the museum we feasted our eyes. This foot photo is only a small part of the male figure but I am amazed by the detail that Rodin is able to portray in every part of his sculptures.

We took so many photos that only a few can be shown here.

These are a selection of my favourites and I’m sure that most of you recognise them from cards and posters if you haven’t actually viewed them in the museum.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rodin’s sculptures are strong, powerful and stunning but this Degas (and I know there are several versions in different museums) of the little ballerina almost makes me cry because it is so beautiful. To me, it captures the seriousness and determination in this budding dancer. I hope she did go on to become famous in her career as well as in her enduring portrayal in bronze with a dash of netting. She is surrounded by glass, presumably to preserve the real material in her skirt and ribbon, so it was difficult to get a photo without the reflections of the glass. If you haven’t seen the real thing I hope this inspires you to seek her out on your next trip to Paris.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manet’s nude at the picnic is not on my favourite list, but it’s so famous that I thought I should include it here in case any of you were not yet convinced that on your next visit to Paris, the Musee d’Orsay is a must, rather than that big, imposing L’Ouvre which sort of reminds me of the National Gallery in London, but without the welcoming atmosphere.

 

 

After wandering amongst all this wonderful art work we walked towards what is obviously the actual former station, via a section displaying furniture and household decorations from the period when art nouveau was the fashion.

Coming out into the upper section of the old railway station I was impressed by the size of the space and its beauty. Along the upper section – a mezzanine floor where stone statues are displayed – we looked down onto the former track area and at the far end is this clock. Nothing like the highly visual, utilitarian clocks hung on the walls of British railway stations, this one is thing of beauty.

Our enjoyment of paintings still was not complete though, as we discovered a visiting exhibition from overseas galleries, which included these popular works by Van Gogh. I was thrilled that we didn’t miss them, which we almost did as the sign outside the small side gallery was in French (of course) and poorly displayed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I haven’t tried to name the paintings (largely because my French is not good enough to give the correct translations.

We came out at nearly closing time, exhausted, overloaded with the mental and emotional concentration that such a visit gives and takes. Fortunately there were plenty of taxis lined up outside and our driver spoke English. We had another of our ‘picnics’ in my room and fell into bed.