I had the feeling of being in Marfa, Texas, at the Guggenheim, at the Whitney, at MoMA all at the same time. And yet, I was just visiting a small exhibition of very high quality American artists at the Grand Palais in the center of Paris. Eleven small rooms with just the perfect selection of « iconic » American paintings … Read More
The Tudors, a real fashion show
I have to admit it, I plunged back into Rebecca Fraser’s « A People’s History of Britain » (Chatto and Windus) in order to understand the dates and filiations of the Tudors. At a time when Shakespeare’s « Henry VI » (the play on the French and English king is directed by Thomas Jolly) is a hit at Ateliers Berthier in two 9 … Read More
Pol Bury’s necessary come back
Kinetic sculptor Pol Bury died ten years ago but his wife, the New York sociologist Velma Bury, and his long time friend and museum curator Daniel Marchesseau, are well alive. And they were asked to organize a restrospective of this major Belgian artist’s work at Espace Fondation EDF, next door to Le Soufflé Récamier. Thanks to Hubert Le Gall’s scenography, … Read More
Markus Lüpertz, a talented dandy
He stands wearing a black hat and a stick and speaks in slow elegant German : Markus Lüpertz was at the Museum of Modern art of the City of Paris to present his new show of 140 paintings and sculptures. He is magnificent. « I am fascinated and very happy that my work is competing today with the beauty of … Read More
Fitzwilliam and Bourdelle strike a new friendship
Jane Munro, curator of paintings and drawings at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, speaks perfect French and travels to Paris often. She found it totally natural, after spending six years of her life researching artists mannequins in paintings, to offer Musée Bourdelle the exhibition she had curated in Cambridge. Amélie Simier, took it on for the reopening of her museum … Read More
A multicolor Pierre Bonnard at Orsay
No need to go to Musée Marmottan to see the exhibition « La Toilette, naissance de l’Intime » for there are 14 baigneuses by Pierre Bonnard at Musée d’Orsay. And I must say they are not my favourite. The exhibition, which is drawing 4 000 visitors a day, is a hit and everyone can find a style he likes in … Read More
Velazquez, full of surprises
From the Elysée Palace to the Grand Palais on the Champs Elysées, where the Velazquez exhibition was opening that morning, a myriad of Spanish and French flags were celebrating the official visit of King Felipe and his beautiful wife Letizia of Spain. For the painter of King Philip IV, this was a strong « socialist » tribute ! but then … Read More
Drawings, drawings everywhere
The show « Drawing now » has always been an easy way to find new artists. Over the years, when the contemporary drawing show was at the Louvre, I bought black and white drawings by Etienne Pressager and a burnt wood piece by South Corean artist Ji Eun Yoon. Now, it is taking place for the second time, at Carreau du Temple, … Read More