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
From craftsmanship to art
It was Palais de Tokyo again and its long waiting lines for the opening of « l’Usage des Formes », an exhibition curated by Gallien Déjean on similar themes as those of “le Prix de l’Intelligence de la Main” (Prize for Intelligence of the Hand) created 15 years ago by the Bettencourt Schueller Foundation. Young ladies dressed in black with big red … Read More
A Catalan shepherd is a painter in the Alps
Born near Morella in 1899 as Ancelmo Boix y Boix, Anselme Boix-Vives only started painting at the end of his life in 1962, after having emigrated at 18 to Moûtiers in the French Alps. From being a shepherd in Catalonia, he started a vegetable shop and became such a sound businessman that in 1956, he helped his son Laurent buy … Read More
La Folie Fornasetti
French lingerie designer Chantal Thomass was surrounded by « a million » Italian fashion journalists at the opening of Piero Fornasetti’s retrospective at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs. Barbara Baumel, who was for many years Guy Bourdin’s assistant and nannie, was laughing as always, with a group of very handsome men. And the atmosphere was electrical, as everyone was enjoying … Read More
To be Parisian in Lausanne
The Musée de l’Elysée in Lausanne is turning thirty, and so has its brand new director, Tatyana Franck, who took over last week from Sam Stourdzé, now the director of the Rencontres Internationales de photographie d’Arles. Famous around the world for its touring photo exhibitions, the Musée de L’Elysée is located in a beautiful 18 th century house overlooking Lake … Read More
Versailles’ hidden secrets
We were so early at Versailles for the opening of Charles de La Fosse’s first ever exhibition, that we decided to indulge in a couple of mojitos at D’Paris, the closest bar to the Cour d‘honneur, on the right hand side of the palace. The atmosphere there at 6 pm, is so different to that of the Château, that we … Read More