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Post by imec on Sept 16, 2009 19:58:01 GMT
Last full day in Paris. We decided to visit the Orsay (yeah, I know, we haven't been to the Louvre yet - and we won't be going. Crowds too big for me and it ain't going anywhere as far as I know, so, next time). As far as I recall, the kids had never been to an art museum before this so I was interested in what their reaction would be. As it turns out, they were familiar with copies of some of the works from their art classes at school and were excited to see the original works in real life. The Orsay, as many of you will know was a former train station. Did you also know that it was slated for demolition before someone came up with the idea of converting it to an art museum? What a shame that would have been - I love old train stations.     Was surprised to find someone had painted me and Mrs. I at the Hilton executive lounge...    Some of the statues were rather lifelike...   After our visit, there was still some time left for one last walk around town and a little bit of shopping.            Down to just a few hours now. Just time for a little more Champagne, one last dinner ( Terminus Nord) and a few hours sleep before heading to London. Au revoir Paris!    Next, imec in England... |
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Post by bixaorellana on Sept 16, 2009 22:18:57 GMT
Bravo! I'm almost sniffling because your wonderful trip is at an end. This was a great last day, though.
Gad, the museum is such a sensitive and brilliant reworking of the train station that it would be worth a visit even without the art in it. Love Miss I as a classical beauty, and also as a happy contemporary beauty lugging her pink bag of loot.
As always, your eye for the special detail made this thead a pleasure. That last picture -- which surely would embarrass your little angel, if he knew -- is exquisite.
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Post by imec on Sept 17, 2009 13:00:59 GMT
Gad, the museum is such a sensitive and brilliant reworking of the train station that it would be worth a visit even without the art in it. One of the reasons we chose it as our only Paris art museum visit - it really is a magnificent building - and you get to see the upper part of the structure up close in way you wouldn't if were just an old train station. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2009 14:51:06 GMT
The train station wasn't even in service for very long. It was built for the World's Fair in 1900 but it was poorly planned with no room for track expansion (the center of Paris!) -- and closed in 1939. The 400-room hotel at the end of the building (where the museum entrance is now) remained open until 1973, and the track area had a big tent in it that was used by one of the most prestigious theatres of Paris, the Renaud-Barrault company which staged all of Beckett's plays.  Anyway, the building is much better the way it is now, as imec's excellent pictures prove. I know one painting that tends to surprise American visitors to the Orsay, even though they already expect to be impressed by so many of the Renoirs and Monets, Manets, etc., and no -- it isn't Courbet's "L'origine du monde" even though that is always good for a few gasps, it's the moment they come across Whistler's Mother ("What is that doing in Paris?). |
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Post by imec on Sept 17, 2009 14:58:39 GMT
I know one painting that tends to surprise American visitors to the Orsay, even though they already expect to be impressed by so many of the Renoirs and Monets, Manets, etc., and no -- it isn't Courbet's "L'origine du monde" even though that is always good for a few gasps, it's the moment they come across Whistler's Mother ("What is that doing in Paris?). Exactly what this woman is thinking...  |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2009 15:02:04 GMT
No photo of the Courbet?  |
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Post by imec on Sept 17, 2009 15:14:10 GMT
More of a fan of "Brazilian" painters |
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Post by spaman on Sept 17, 2009 21:23:58 GMT
imec,
I don't write much but I have been reading your reports and looking at your great pictures!
We are leaving for Paris next Friday and, between you and Kerouac have posted, I can hardly wait to leave.
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Post by imec on Sept 17, 2009 21:41:26 GMT
You lucky dog! I hope you have as great a time as we did!
Thanks for your comment.
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Post by bixaorellana on Sept 17, 2009 22:45:46 GMT
And we will be eagerly awaiting your own personal view of Paris, Spaman.
Just a week left, huh? You all must be incredibly excited. Will it just be you and Mrs. Spaman, or the whole famdambly, as my dad used to say?
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Post by spaman on Sept 18, 2009 15:33:14 GMT
It is Mrs. S and I . It is our 25th Anniversary. Our 10th was Italy, Paris (2 days) and England; 20th was Hawaii so it is off to Paris for 7 days!  . I will post pics after I review the method of posting.  . We will be staying at the Hotel Luxembourg Parc (6th) on rue de Vaugirard. I believe that it has WiFi so I will try to post from Paris. If not, I will when I return. |
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Post by imec on Sept 18, 2009 15:47:52 GMT
Happy anniversary to you both! What a great way to celebrate!!
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Post by bjd on Sept 18, 2009 16:01:46 GMT
I don't know that many American visitors get upset at seeing the Whistler painting in Paris. It's nothing compared to the French Impressionist paintings that are in various museums in the States, like the Metropolitan in NYC and Chicago's Art Institute. The American buyers were just a lot smarter at seeing the trend in paintings in the 19th century!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2009 16:44:31 GMT
It is Mrs. S and I . It is our 25th Anniversary. Our 10th was Italy, Paris (2 days) and England; 20th was Hawaii so it is off to Paris for 7 days! . I will post pics after I review the method of posting. . We will be staying at the Hotel Luxembourg Parc (6th) on rue de Vaugirard. I believe that it has WiFi so I will try to post from Paris. If not, I will when I return. Have a great trip, spaman! |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2009 16:47:51 GMT
I don't know that many American visitors get upset at seeing the Whistler painting in Paris. I don't think they necessarily get upset. It's just that Whistler's Mother and American Gothic are such quintessential American paintings that one automatically assumes that they are in the U.S. somewhere, same as paintings by Andrew Wyeth. Everybody would be ill advised to protest artworks being in the "wrong" country, or the Louvre would be in a heap of trouble and so would all of the other major museums of the world. By the way, imec, when is your visit of the Louvre programmed?  |
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Post by bixaorellana on Sept 18, 2009 17:34:38 GMT
Happy anniversary, Mr. & Mrs. Spaman! What a wonderful, romantic way to celebrate.
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Post by auntieannie on Sept 19, 2009 17:13:23 GMT
Thank you for this 12-part visit of Paris, Imec! well worth it. I enjoyed every bit of it.
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Post by Jazz on Sept 19, 2009 19:50:18 GMT
Great last day, Imec, and I must say...that is a wonderful painting of you and Mrs. I (I have always loved this painting!). Your entire series is great and I often revisit your threads. I love your eye for detail, often, some of them, your children's photos? Whatever... you express a unique view of Paris, and of France. In this last, your shot of your son asleep is exceptional. As is your beautiful daughter. |
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Post by imec on Sept 19, 2009 20:14:43 GMT
Thanks so much Jazz. And thanks to everyone who took the time to look at these and especially to those who posted comments - thanks from the kids too who did take many of the best shots!
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Post by traveler63 on Sept 22, 2009 13:53:46 GMT
Thanks, Imec, it really helped to see your posts and it kept us ready to go. Mr. Spaman, good luck on your trip and happy anniversary. Mr. Traveler and I are here in Paris, we arrived last Thursday and we will be here until the 15th of Oct. I have many thing to post, but am holding off until I get home to get it organized. Will try to post a little toward the end of the week. More later
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Post by auntieannie on Sept 22, 2009 14:45:00 GMT
Traveler, go enjoy Paris!
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Post by imec on Sept 22, 2009 14:55:53 GMT
+1
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.
. We will be staying at the Hotel Luxembourg Parc (6th) on rue de Vaugirard. I believe that it has WiFi so I will try to post from Paris. If not, I will when I return.
