Autumnal weather has returned. The air is crisp. The lighting is warm. Looming, cumulus clouds contrast against the deep azure sky. These types of days are perfect for enjoying the outdoors. Being the first Sunday of the month (when select museums are free to the public), we decided to try to find a participating museum outside of Paris. Today's destination- The Rodin Museum in Meudon- a 20 minute drive from our 'hood.
Showing posts with label Museum. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Museum. Show all posts
Rodin+
Autumnal weather has returned. The air is crisp. The lighting is warm. Looming, cumulus clouds contrast against the deep azure sky. These types of days are perfect for enjoying the outdoors. Being the first Sunday of the month (when select museums are free to the public), we decided to try to find a participating museum outside of Paris. Today's destination- The Rodin Museum in Meudon- a 20 minute drive from our 'hood.New Year. New Museum.
There is a saying that goes "Where ever you live, there you are." Even if where you live is the beautiful city of Paris, it is easy to get into a routine. Eventually you start thinking of it as your home and not a tourist destination. You run errands instead of touring monuments. Weekends tend to fill up with grocery shopping, laundry, or trips to Castorama (DIY store).
When we first arrived here, I told myself that I would try to explore and discover and not take for granted that I live in France. " Live like you are going to move tomorrow" -- words to live by. We do try to make an extra effort to at least hike through the park, explore our town through walks, or visit a museum. It's hard when you have long list of things on the to-do list, but I never regret taking time out to enjoy myself (at least I shouldn't).
Today was the first Sunday of 2013, and it was another cold, rainy day. We could have easily made an excuse to stay in. However, I really didn't want to waste another weekend, especially when there were free museums to discover.
Our first museum trip of the year was to the National Ceramics Museum in Sevres. This museum has a collection which take you from the ancient to the modern world with examples from China, Syria, Islam, France, and more. In their permanent collection, they have a wide variety of artisnal examples from porcelain figures to ancient world vessels for medicinal oils to a three foot high royal tea set to delicate pastoral scenes painted on plates. They also have temporary exhibitions. Kristin McKirdy's work was on display this weekend. I left the museum with a deep appreciation for ceramic art and artists.
From Permanent Collection
When we first arrived here, I told myself that I would try to explore and discover and not take for granted that I live in France. " Live like you are going to move tomorrow" -- words to live by. We do try to make an extra effort to at least hike through the park, explore our town through walks, or visit a museum. It's hard when you have long list of things on the to-do list, but I never regret taking time out to enjoy myself (at least I shouldn't).
Today was the first Sunday of 2013, and it was another cold, rainy day. We could have easily made an excuse to stay in. However, I really didn't want to waste another weekend, especially when there were free museums to discover.
Our first museum trip of the year was to the National Ceramics Museum in Sevres. This museum has a collection which take you from the ancient to the modern world with examples from China, Syria, Islam, France, and more. In their permanent collection, they have a wide variety of artisnal examples from porcelain figures to ancient world vessels for medicinal oils to a three foot high royal tea set to delicate pastoral scenes painted on plates. They also have temporary exhibitions. Kristin McKirdy's work was on display this weekend. I left the museum with a deep appreciation for ceramic art and artists.
From Permanent Collection
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| Islamic Patterns |
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| Religious Icons |
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| Life size figures |
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| Tea cups |
Temporary Exhibit - Kristin Mckirdy
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| Props to Thomas for taking this photo. |
Being Touristy
It's the first Sunday of the month. This means free entry to a long list of museums. After weighing our options, we decided to visit the Louvre. December is a good time to see the museums, since it's not the peak tourist season. The free entry however, drew a considerable crowd... a tourist season kind of crowd. You could not walk through the more popular exhibits without walking into someone or into someone's photo opt. We unintentionally photo bombed a few family portraits. Everyone was so happy to be in Paris/at the Louvre they really didn't care.
The Louvre has an amazing collection- parts of which you can tour online. Thousands of objects (art and antiquities) are housed in the 652,300 square feet building. Determining where to start is daunting, and forget about the idea of walking the entire museum in one visit. Even with our map we had a hard time determining where we were. Never mind figuring out where we wanted to go. The museum is almost too big. You can't really linger and reflect in front of each piece- there is just too many waiting to be seen. There is also little description (just name, artist, and how the museum acquired the piece) about each piece of work, so you are left wondering the meaning of each piece. I will have to downloaded the Louvre App for next time or perhaps sign up for a tour.
My favorite piece in the Museum is still La Joconde (or the Mona Lisa). Her face is mesmerizing. Even when your eyes wander to other parts of the picture, her eyes draw you back in. A close second is Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss. The tenderness between Psyche and Cupid is palpable. It adds to the aesthetics of the piece.
The Louvre is a wonderful museum, and we are lucky to live close by. Between the crowds and the amount of walking, visits require a lot of energy.
The Louvre has an amazing collection- parts of which you can tour online. Thousands of objects (art and antiquities) are housed in the 652,300 square feet building. Determining where to start is daunting, and forget about the idea of walking the entire museum in one visit. Even with our map we had a hard time determining where we were. Never mind figuring out where we wanted to go. The museum is almost too big. You can't really linger and reflect in front of each piece- there is just too many waiting to be seen. There is also little description (just name, artist, and how the museum acquired the piece) about each piece of work, so you are left wondering the meaning of each piece. I will have to downloaded the Louvre App for next time or perhaps sign up for a tour.
My favorite piece in the Museum is still La Joconde (or the Mona Lisa). Her face is mesmerizing. Even when your eyes wander to other parts of the picture, her eyes draw you back in. A close second is Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss. The tenderness between Psyche and Cupid is palpable. It adds to the aesthetics of the piece.
The Louvre is a wonderful museum, and we are lucky to live close by. Between the crowds and the amount of walking, visits require a lot of energy.
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| Psyche Revived By Cupid's Kiss. |
Off the beaten path: Rueil-Malmaison
Our first weekend outing lead us seven km north of Garches to Rueil-Malmaison. Known best for the Chateau where Napoleon Bonaparte and his first wife Joséphine lived in the late 18th century. This small castle became part of the seat of French Government and the location where Napoleon made many important acts including selling Louisiana to the US. (http://www.mairie-rueilmalmaison.fr/histoire-de-rueil)
The Chateau is much smaller and less extravagant than Versailles, but certainly not lacking in luxury and opulence. Just like Versailles, the castle had intricately painted scenes on the walls and ceiling, beautiful crystal chandeliers, and gilded furniture -- just much less of it.
There was no entrance fee to the house when we visited, but that might have been because of the jubilee celebration. According to the website it looks like there is a nominal fee to the house and surrounding park. Also, be aware that it is a bit of a walk from the RER station. You can find more information on their website: http://www.musees-nationaux-napoleoniens.org/homes/home_id24833_u1l2.htm
The town was also celebrating the first imperial jubilee for Napoleon and Josephine. This meant lots of historical re-enactment throughout the town. We ran into a few as we walked from the Chateau back to the RER station.
The Chateau is much smaller and less extravagant than Versailles, but certainly not lacking in luxury and opulence. Just like Versailles, the castle had intricately painted scenes on the walls and ceiling, beautiful crystal chandeliers, and gilded furniture -- just much less of it.
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| Chateau Rueil-Malmaison - taken from the garden 2012. |
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| Vue du Chateau de Malmaison around 1805. Pierre Joseph Petit |
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| Billards Room |
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| Bibliotheque (Library) |
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| Napoleon's bedroom. |
The town was also celebrating the first imperial jubilee for Napoleon and Josephine. This meant lots of historical re-enactment throughout the town. We ran into a few as we walked from the Chateau back to the RER station.
