Friday, September 30, 2016

Spectaculaire Second Empire 1852 - 1870, musee d'Orsay

On Monday there were back-to-back press previews - the Hergé at the Grand Palais
And musee d'Orsay's grand Spectaculaire Second Empire 1852 - 1870 exhibit.
The crowning piece is this três riche portrait by Ingres. In art school I was a huge fan and traipsed down to the Ingres museum in Montauban. Back in the day they let me view and handle his drawings in a storage room. Sheer heaven. Wouldn't happen today.
You feel you've stepped back into Napoleon III's time. Everything is set in a lush red velvet opulent context.
The first time I've seen this wonderfully austere family portrait by Degas of The Belleli. How geometric it is, full of triangles and rectangles. I made a doodle on the spot(see above). It took Degas almost 10 years to complete but he forgot the other leg of the little girl in the center or so it appears.
A fabulous triple portrait by Manet. The figures on the balcony seem to be looking back at us, the observers!
Lots of black paint in these. During the Second Empire the burgeoning middle class flaunted their wealth, fueling a booming portrait industry. Fantin-Latour
reaped the benefits among many others.
Hmmm...doing pet portraits does not seem the same at all...
Not to overlook Empress Eugenie by any means
Her presence is everywhere in the exhibit..in her full wedding regalia.
His and hers coronation crowns.
His and hers coronation seats...
Tick tock. Napoleon III revived the pomp of Versailles
Lovely Second Empire jewels to admire and some nice knockoffs in the gift shop take note.
Grand balls were organized by the court
The Opera Garnier was constantly joining in with fabulous productions
Everyone appears to be partying and picnicking.
This Manet painting of Trouville made me want to leave immediately for more lobster and sand in my shoes. Yum
Look in a Second Empire mirror and step back in time. A very complete experience from the current mess we're in. If only one could.
Time for dejeuner sur l'herbe. Thanks for reading Parisbreakfast! If you like this post and want to support it, buy my Paris letters and watercolors or forward this to someone who might enjoy it. Cheers 

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Hergé, Tintin. Grand Palais

Yesterday the huge Hergé retrospective opened
At no less than the Grand Palais
The first image to greet you of Tintin's creator is an enormous blowup of his preparatory sketches larger than life size.
Who in the world hasn't heard of Tintin translated into a gazillion languages and loved by the world over.
But who thinks of Hergé as a serious artist worthy to be up there with the big names?
That's what this exhibit is about. It quickly becomes apparent from studying his drawings and loose sketches
Exactly how gifted Hergé was.
There weren't many situations he couldn't draw. None really.
Bruegel was an influence on his work along with other fine draftsmen.
Many contemporary artist will tell you Tintin had a big influence on them: Warhol, Lichtenstein, Fontana, Dubuffet among others.
10 rooms and two floors of examples make it easy to re-evaluate Hergé.
Models and movies tell the story in an interactive exhibit.
There's a universality to his images and a clarity. Who hasn't felt like this at one time?
Or experienced Tintin's wonderful sense of adventure?
Even dog portraits are included...
Is Hergé, Tintin and Tintin, Hergé? It must be so. Or is Tintin all of us? The kid in everyone will enjoy this terrific show at the Grand Palais, on until 15 January 2017. I will go back for another immersion.
Thanks for reading Parisbreakfast!

If you like this post and want to support it, buy my Paris letters and watercolors or forward this to someone who might enjoy it. 
Cheers 

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Paris Papeterie map and Pets in Paris Portraits

This is an alert to lets those anxiously waiting for their Paris mail to arrive...
The September map has shipped out today enfin!
Who doesn't love Paris papeterie (stationary) shops?
You'd have to be mad not to
Right?
Filled with such colorful goodies too.
Color themes that can break your heart...so beautiful.
Be like Marie-Antoinette and write with a Paris plume
Or plume de ma tante. So you should have the latest Paris map in your letter box shortly. FYI they will stop after April-May 2017 by the way. They do seem to drive me crazy monthly. Map makers are organized people as I found out the hard way. So Carpe Diem.
On the other hand (one wants to say paw..) all the big dogs in Dieppe reminded me that I miss painting their portraits.
Little dogs too barked a few times.
Then a sign came to me enroute to the pool the other morning. OK I know a duck is coming out of the back of his neck but this looks alot
Like my darling Rudi...non?
And you have been sending requests.
Painting your pets in Paris has always been a delight
So why not do them again. You can order directly in my Etsy shop.
S'il vous plait include tails and paws in your reference photos. Most helpful. The more photos the better and tell me the name of your pet. It helps.
Thanks for reading Parisbreakfast!
If you like this post and want to support it, buy my Paris letters and watercolors or forward this to someone who might enjoy it. Cheers