Liz Milburn
Monday 22 February 2021
Académie de la Grande Chaumière
Tuesday 16 February 2021
Les Nabis - 1888-1900 - a group of French artists
While we were in Paris there were two exhibitions following "Les Nabis". Les Nabis et le Décor at the Musée du Luxembourg and Le Talisman at the Musée D'Orsay. I had never heard about the group before but the exhibitions were fascinating to me. I was particularly fond of the paintings by Vuillard and Bonnard.
Vuillard |
The interior paintings by Denis, Bonnard and Vuillard were the best I have seen. I was particularly interested in Vuillard who seemed to be commissioned to paint interiors for his clients. He worked on a theme of public gardens to produce one set of paintings including a diptych and triptych. At the Musée D'Orsay there is also an amazing oval painting painted by Vuillard which is shown below.
Oval by Vuillard |
Monday 8 February 2021
Eugène Delacroix (1798-1863)
During our trip to Paris we visited the studio and national museum for the artist Eugène Delacroix. Prior to our visit I was not familiar with this artist, but I think his history is worthy of note as an accomplished French Artist and having an influence on the impressionists.
He was born during the Napoleonic reign with his career following waterloo. It was a rebellious and romantic period. Perhaps his most famous painting is "Liberty leading the people" which is housed in the Louvre. The louvre has a number of his larger works which we didn't have time to see (another time). During his life he also produced a number of drawings and lithographs including some of Shakespeare's works.
He himself was influenced by the artist Ruban's but also by famous writers and musicians. He used expressive brush strokes which were a precursor for the impressionism movement. Both Renoir and Manet were followers of Delacroix and copied some of his works.
Delacroix worked in his studio until his death in 1863. He had a house keeper, Jenny, who guarded his privacy. The studio and apartment now houses the Musée national for Delacroix. The studio and garden are beautiful although I wish they had left the studio as one might have found it rather than an exhibition space. The big studio window is amazing and provided a good quantity of light for his work.
I found a quote of interest about him .."Eugène Delacroix was a curious mixture of scepticism, politeness, dandyism, willpower, cleverness, despotism and finally a kind of special goodness and tenderness that always accompanies genius".
Thursday 4 February 2021
Rodin, at the heart of sculpture
Right hands |
We arrived at opening time and spent most of the day there, eating a picnic in the garden. There is no denying that I love his sculptures! I spent half the day inside visiting the various themed rooms which traces a rough chronological journey of his life. Then the afternoon outside in the amazing gardens with his bigger scaled sculptures including "Le Penser".
"Le Penser" |
Rodin originally rented rooms in the mansion from 1908. It now houses some of his amazing collection.
He learnt sculpture initially in a very traditional way, his early works were very precise but lacked character . He also studied the work of famous sculpturers he admired and in particular observed the very best of Roman sculpture. He realised that quality was important and also strict observation of the subject. He experimented by paring things back and was able to make a move forward with his sculpture from that point. He always tried to capture emotion and character in his figures. The shape, movement and form were everything to him. I love the way that he also seemed to be in tune with the material he used such as stone or bronze. One can feel the process of a figure being modelled from the stone.
"L'homme qui marche" |
Draped torso |
I tried to make a few sketches of his work but I think I was rather in awe so they haven't turned out as well as I would have liked. I think my favourites were the small sculptures such as "Le Désespoir" and "Le Réveil". If you have a chance to visit Paris I definitely recommend visiting this museum.
"Le Réveil" |
"Le Désespoir" |
Tuesday 2 February 2021
Jardin du Luxembourg
The Jardin du Luxembourg is a beautiful garden in the centre of Paris. It is a haven from the hustle and bustle of city life. The garden was designed for the Palais du Luxembourg and is now owned by the French state and most importantly is open to all.
It has the most delightful round pond where children's sailboats can be sailed across it. Each boat has a sail representing a different country.
Many of our trips around Paris involved a walk through the gardens on the way to visit somewhere or the way back. Sometimes we would take a picnic and a book to read just to escape the city. There are many statues in the garden and lots of immaculately planted flower beds. And most importantly lots of chairs to sit on. Bless the French for thinking of the essentials especially as many of the lawns cannot be walked on. People go to the gardens to meet their friends, eat their lunch or just sit and contemplate life.
Of course no French park could be without pétanque areas. I believe there were 4 linked together and a clubhouse. I love to watch the game, the strategies and the various talents of the players. And I'm not the only one as there is usually a crowd watching. It is also a chance to socialise with friends. For painters it is a chance to sit and sketch!!
Another lovely feature was the pony rides for the children in the afternoons along the main vistas.
It was definitely one of my favourite places to visit in Paris. You could sit, feel the last of the sun and really wind down at the end of the day.
Monday 1 February 2021
A Month in Paris
We visited twice on our trip and neither time were disappointed despite the crowds. On return from Paris I made this pastel inspired picture as a card.
Tuesday 12 May 2020
Cormorant cards
Here are a couple of my recent cormarant drawings and the associated cards completed.