There is a decorative art that survived the French revolution and was as prolific under Louis XVI th as under Napoleon and that is the art of bronzier and gold sculptor. Pierre Gouthière, 1732-1813, was the most famous of 18 th century artists and a show of his work is at Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris after the Frick collection in New York. Jean-Baptiste Claude Odiot, (1763-1850) a manufacturer of gold plated and silver tea fountains and soup dishes, was the most famous argentier of the 19 th century. Gonzague Mézin, a contemporary artist who graduated from business school, is showing five pieces produced by his Maison Lignereux, recreeating today what this magic house used to make. The three shows are truly exciting.Read More
London keeps its sense of humour
The Brits are the best and this sign could only have been written in London! Hats off to all our English readers and Thank you to Theodora Zemek who sent this picture!
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Religious Baroque at Petit Palais
Five years ago, Musée Carnavalet became the center of attention with an exhibition of XVII th century paintings from Paris churches. Everyone was suddently looking at them instead of passing them by. Today, Musée du Petit Palais is continuing the saga, with XVIII th century religious paintings in a show which Christophe Leribault named « Le Baroque des Lumières ». Thanks to a fabulous staging by Véronique Dollfus, the exhibition of very large paintings is a beauty.Read More
José Maria Sert in forty projects
I was on my way to the première of « Trompe la Mort », a contemporary opera by Luca Francesconi with a fascinating direction by Guy Cassiers, when I casually walked into the Galerie Emeric Hahn, rue Saint Anne, on the invitation of Philippe Godoy, better known in Paris as « the Prince » of the 2nd arrondissement. This dear and faithful friend had alerted me on a discreet show of Catalan painter José Maria Sert, well known for his fabulous décors for the Rothschilds, the Wendels and Coco Chanel in the 1920’s and celebrated at Petit Palais five years ago.Read More
Gardens, classical and contemporary at Grand Palais
I was surprised to find out that Laurent Le Bon, president of the Picasso museum and formerly at Pompidou Metz, was the curator of the much awaited show of « Jardins » at Grand Palais. I had noticed his wit at the opening of the Picasso exhibition in CDG airport a month ago and he was just as much fun while pointing out the vegetal wall by Patrick Blanc running along the staircase. The show starts with a Pompei frescoe of a garden facing « Verde del bosco con camicia » by Giuseppe Penone. No need to tell us anything, we know we will be surprised by centuries of gardens ! Over one hundred pieces of the show have never been shown in France.Read More
Gloves and hats at a bargain
Muriel, a 19 th century glove shop around the corner from the Elysée Palace, is closing down for good on March 30 th. It’s not exactly the season to buy woolen or calf gloves but think of your Christmas presents! I found a fabulous straw hat for 20€ in view of all the weddings that I will attend this summer and gloves you can use on your iPhone.
At a time when it is essential to wear gloves everywhere on the subway and in public spaces, the glove industry is slowly dying. And for anyone interested the old shop furniture is also for sale!
Don’t hesitate, just go…to 4 rue des Saussaies…
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Mystical countrysides at Orsay
The new exhibition at Musée d’Orsay, « Beyond the stars, the mystical landscape from Monet to Kandinsky », is an ode to trees and endless landscapes, a tribute to Baudelaire’s poem « Correspondances » one of the pillars of symbolism. I was surprised to find Monet’s four cathedrals in the first room facing his haystacks… But there are many discoveries to be made in this dream show conceived with the Art Gallery of Ontario.Read More
Anselm Kiefer and Auguste Rodin observe cathedrals
« I bequeath to the state all my works in plaster, marble, bronze and stone together with my drawings and the collection of antiquities I had such pleasure in assembling, for the education and training of artists and workers. » This sentence in Auguste Rodin’s will led Catherine Chevillot, director of Musée Rodin, to invite Anselm Kiefer in the storerooms of the museum five years ago. The exhibition opening today is the result of extensive research and painting by the maverick artist.Read More