An exhaustive book on the history of the “Sauvegarde”, a new program of “The greatest museum in France” for high schools, and more medieval churches saved in the middle of nowhere… The energy of La Sauvegarde de l’Art Français ‘s president, Olivier de Rohan is endless and his ideas are revolutionary. On May 19th at 6 pm, there will be a … Read More
Gaudi and Maillol star at Musée d’Orsay…
The great discovery at Musée d’Orsay, which features two exhibitions of Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi and French artist Maillol, is that Aristide Maillol was not only the well known sculptor of fat ladies, he was also a very good painter. And I was happily surprised to see among the 200 works, his “Maternité”, the portrait of his wife Clotidle and … Read More
At Château de Fontainebleau, balls and parades are on tapestries …
“There never was in France such a display of magnificence and “courtliness” as during the last years of the reign of Henri II” writes Madame de Lafayette in her historical novel La Princesse de Clèves. This is one of the reasons to go and see the new show “L’Art de la fête à la cour des Valois” (Festivities at the court … Read More
Cameroun is celebrated twice this week at l’Odéon and at Quai Branly
This week marks a double success for Cameroun, the large country in Central Africa, which is home to Djaïli Amadou Amal, the writer (in French) of “Les Impatientes”, winner of Prix Goncourt des Lycées in 2020 and Ambassador for UNICEF since. She has been named Writer of the Year 2021 by Trophées de l’Edition, and a ceremony at Théâtre de l’Odéon … Read More
The Museum and gardens Albert-Kahn reopen at last in Boulogne
Started during visionary Patrick Devedjian‘s presidency of the department of Hauts de Seine, the renovation of Musée Albert Kahn in Boulogne was conducted over ten years by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma & associates and it reopened this week end. It is the perfect time to visit the 3,9 ha (9 acres) garden, with large white and pink camellias in full bloom … Read More
At Bibliothèque Mazarine, Piranesi and Desmazières have a ball
I took a friend, who is a true Parisian, to the opening of Piranesi, Albert Decaris, and Erik Desmazières‘s exhibition at Bibliothèque Mazarine and Bibliothèque de l’Institut and he was mesmerized by the beauty of the library. At 70 he had never visited it. And this is true of many French people who have no idea that one of the prettiest … Read More
Graciela Iturbide, from Coyoacan to Fondation Cartier
The first pictures I ran into at Fondation Cartier, in the show “Heliotropo 37 ” are of the Oaxaca botanical gardens, a well kept secret which I visited in 2006 with a group of friends. It was being restored by local artist Francisco Toledo who toured us around. He is the same man who in 1979, had invited photographer Graciela … Read More
Cedric Riou reigns over a world of sculptures
Atelier Prométhée is a magic manufacture in Saint Denis, just behind the stadium, which specializes in reproductions of XVII th and XVIII th century sculptures and decors. Its collections include orders for Versailles’ bosquets, swimming pools or palazzo floors for famous decorators, and the Iznik decor it created for a private spa in Gstaad is a little miracle. Cedric Riou, … Read More