There is so so so much to see, and then say, about the impressionists!!
Today I visited the Musée de l'Orangerie, mainly to view Monet's murals. The museum has two main sections, the bottom floor containing the collection of Paul Gillaume, and the upper floor containing Monet's eight massive Water Lily murals. They are a permanent installation in two very serene oval rooms that have natural light filtering through the roof. I was advised to go there on a sunny day and can see why. The light seems to dance on the work and it is completely and deeply moving... Spiritual even!
The vestibule was designed by Monet as a haven of peace for Parisians after the First World War. I don't think he actually got to see it installed. Then I went into the Guillaume collection... What a treat!!
Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Femme Nue Dans un Paysage
The Paul Guillaume collection is impressive. He began his career as an art dealer from his garage and became a respected figure in artistic circles of the twenties. He wanted to create a museum of modern art and as such had a huge collection of works. His wife completed and modified his collection which includes but is not limited to Cezanne, Matisse, Picasso, Derain, Renoir, Rousseau and I really loved work by Soutine and Modigliani... I was allowed to take some photos here.
Henri Matisse, Odalisque á la Culotte Rouge
Chaïm Soutine, La Jeunes Anglaise
Amedeo Modigliani, Antonia
......now I REALLY want to go to Giverny where he made his lily pond!!