But we managed to give him at little attention as possible. And that was easy considering all Paris has to offer that has nothing whatsoever to do with the holidays. Like museums, exhibitions, concerts, movies, opera and of course, la dolce far niente!
As a converted train station, The Musee D’Orsay is a spectacular space to be in. With its soaring open central gallery and intimate exhibition rooms, the magnificent clock framing the city outside and the great permanent collections it is worth many trips. Masculine / Masculine:The Nude Man in Art from 1800 to the Present Day the current exhibition of the evolution of the male nude , “draws on the wealth of its own collections and of other French public collections, aims to take an interpretive, playful, sociological and philosophical approach to exploring all aspects and meanings of the male nude in art.” And it certainly doe that. No photos allowed!
The National museum of Ceramiques, the Musee de Sevres is a short RER train ride across the curvy Seine as it heads west to meet the sea. Home to the ceramique ateliers of the renown Sevres pottery, the museum exhibits exquisite Sevres porcelain as well as works from around the world and through the ages.
At the Musee Marmotton Monet, another special place off the beaten track, has an exhibit titled
Napoleon’s 3 Sisters. This is the most beautiful collection of royal portraits of the sisters and other family members with audio history bringing to life the very complex family dynamics of Napoleon’s family and especially his sisters. No photos allowed here either - this is a general trend in many museums now in order to boost sales in the museum shops.
I was very lucky to be able to go to the exhibit of early circus toys, posters and paraphernalia entitled
Parade at the Les Art Decoratifs on the day before it actually opened. My conversation friend had press passes for us!
Best of all may have been the sunset walk though.
We went to see the latest contemporary exhibit at the Pompidou. Every 2 years a new show is mounted. I think I have a broad appreciation for contemporary art but there were so many works in this group which positively defied any appreciation. However, as fuel for the discussion “what is art” they are brilliant. I could only shake my head at some of the new installations. Like this stalactite of nylon “stockings” filled with sand. Fortunately, Bill met me there when I was almost through the exhibit so he didn’t have to suffer for long.
From there we went to the amazing Arts and Metier museum . . . a special exhibit of an artist who has mastered the very contemporary art of the comic book. Enki Bilal is his name and it was a relief to see his work after the Pompidou. His illustrations are to modern readers what NC Wyeth was to Treasure Island. The fabulous drama and movement expressed in his works have kept adult readers eager for the latest editions of his comics - they are hard bound keepers.
Plus we got to see old fashioned R2D2 and 3CPO !
The last and best exhibit in December was at the Grande Palais - a retrospective of the work of French artist Georges Braque.
From his gaudy Fauve period as a young man, to his long friendship with Picasso, and their creation of Cubism and out the other side of that to his many masterful works .
With all the experimentation he did throughout his life the landscapes at the end to me were surprising. Maybe he was just looking for the quiet found in the peaceful long view.
“The things that Picasso and I said to one another during those years will never be said again, and even if they were, no one would understand them anymore. It was like being roped together on a mountain.” GB
Before long the holidays were over, 2014 was underway, and thoughts for our next cruising season were beginning to germinate. We’ll be heading south . . .