Musée d'Orsay, Paris

Last visit June 2013

The Musee d'Orsay is my favorite art museum in Paris, perhaps even in the world as it features my favorite period for art, impressionism, the collection covers the years between 1848 and 1914 and I believe it is the best impressionist art collection in the world. I think I have visited on every one of my 6 trips to Paris, c'est magnifique!

The building itself was built as a train station for the 1900 World's Fair and was opened as the Musee d' Orsay in 1986.

The line for the museum is usually long, I kissed my museum pass as we strolled up to the special entrance and waltzed right in. Worth the price just for that!

I usually walk to the opposite end of the museum from the entrance and take the escalators straight up to the 5th level to the impressionist and post-impressionist collection including many works by Monet, Manet, Renoir, Degas and all of the other famous impressionist painters. You'll also find many of these same artisits on the ground floor in the pre-impressionist collection.

Closed: Monday
opening hours 9:30am-6pm, Thursday until 9:45pm
included on museum pass (make sure to go to special entrance C to skip the ticket queue), discount rate after 6pm on Thursday, 4:15pm other days

4 more images

At the back end of the ground floor of the Musée d'Orsay there is an interesting exhibit on the building of the "new" (meaning new in the 19th century) opera house which was ordered by the Emperor Napoleon III and designed by the young architect Charles Garnier (1825-1898).

This model shows a cross-section of the opera building, with its entrance hall, grand staircase, auditorium with crown and the stage and backstage areas. Today this opera house is known as the Opéra Garnier or Palais Garnier, after its architect. It is one of five opera houses currently operating in Paris, the others being the Opéra Bastille, the Théâtre du Châtelet, the Opéra Comique (Salle Favart), and the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées.

Second photo: L'escalier de l'Opéra, a painting of the Grand Staircase of the then-new opera house, painted around 1980 by Victor Navlet (1819-1886). The French State bought this painting directly from the artist in 1881 and displayed it for six years in the French Embassy in Berlin.

Third photo: This is the definitive sketch for the ceiling of the opera house, by the painter Jules-Eugène Lenepveu (1819-1898), who proceeded to paint exactly this on the round ceiling of the auditorium. Lenepveu's ceiling paintings are still there, but they are no longer visible because they have been covered since 1964 by the new ceiling paintings of Marc Chagall (1887-1985).

Fourth photo: Portrait of the architect Charles Garnier, painted in 1868 by Paul Baudry (1828-1886).

Fifth photo: Under a glass floor there is a model of the opera house and the entire district around it, as it was in the early years of the 20th century.

1 more image

I know there must be a joke in there somewhere.

Anyway, one of the artists who really sums up the Parisien spirit, especailly the bohemian lifestyle of the early part of the 20th century was Toulouse- Lautrec. He lost one leg in an accident at age 12 - and then the other two years later ! This meant his legs stopped growing from then on.

Such little things (sorry for that heightest comment) didn't stop him enjoying life to the full. He was often to be found in the Moulin Rouge and other such establishments with a large glass of wine in one hand and a sketching pad in the other. Not sure where he would have placed the Parisien hooker - what a clever dick. He would then develop his drawings in the studio the next day.

His was truely a life given over to wine, women and song - the lucky bastard.

Several of his painting were re-worked to be used as advertisments for the Moulin rouge, whilst man of his intimate portraits hang in galleries around the world. Some of the best are still to be found in the Musee d'Orsay - don't miss 'em.

Nearly 300 VT members made comments here on the magnificent collections of the museum of Orsay and the ancient railway station which shelters them.
I will just visit one painting of Claude Monet which on each of my visits made my hart bounce and my eyes shine with pleasure.
It is a rather large painting called "La pie" (the magpie) of a winter landscape painted in 1869 at the beginning of his career and which for that reason is exposed on the first floor among the pre-impressionists.
At first this painting attracts the glance of the visitor by its almost white monochromy. But quickly we realize that the snow is not white - white does not exist - she shows nuances of grey, blue, yellow with some lines and dark spots in brown or black.
There are the warm tones in the sunny part of the landscape and the cold tones in the shadow.
On the barrier, there is the magpie …
A so fascinating beauty deserves the journey to the Musée d'Orsay.

Monet was an excellent painter of snow scenes and painted some 18 in the area of Argenteuil.

Open 9.30 - 18 h (on Thursday 21.45 h). Closed on Monday.
Tickets can be bought from 9 h on.
Price (2013) 9 €. Reduced 18 - 30 yr 6,50 €. Free less than 18 yr or 18 - 25 yr from the EU .

===========================

Près de 300 VT membres se sont exprimés ici sur les magnifiques collections du musée d'Orsay. Je me contenterai de visiter un tableau de Claude Monet qui est pour moi un "coup de cœur". Il s'agit de "La pie" un assez grand tableau d'un paysage enneigé peint en 1869 soit au début de sa carrière et qui pour cette raison est exposée au rez-de-chaussée parmi les pré-impressionistes.
Ce tableau attire le regard du visiteur par sa quasi monochromie blanche. Mais rapidement on réalise que la neige n'est pas blanche - le blanc n'existe pas - elle présente des nuances de gris, de bleu, de jaune avec quelques lignes et taches sombres en brun ou noir. Il y a les tons chauds dans la partie ensoleillée du paysage et les tons froids dans l'ombre.
Sur la barrière, il y a la pie…
Une beauté aussi captivante mérite plus que le détour, elle mérite le voyage.

Monet, qui excellait dans les scènes avec neige, en a peint 18 dans la région d'Argenteuil.

2 more images

The Orsay Museum is one of Paris' most famous art museums more than anything else because of its powerful collection of top flight artists from the 1848-1914 period. There is painting, sculpture and decorative arts, though the paintings are so famous and so incredibly good that it would really be quite easy for the others to escape your notice. I, however, was fascinated with the early photography.

Some of the famous artists whose work is exhibited here are:Delacroix, Monet, Degas, Manet, Gaugin, Toulouse-Lautrec, and Van Gogh.

You really have to be impressed with the setting of the museum. Though it only operated as a railway station for a relatively short time, (gare d'Orsay) this has to be one of the best examples of recycling an old building into something new and special. The museum retains the cavernous interior of a railway station, but the lighting is fantastic! The Orsay museum opened in 1986.

Definitely a must see if you like museums or art.
Note- if you go on the upper floors look out, you will get some amazing views of Paris.

1 more image

The museum of Orsay presents 200 sculptures of the 19th century in the central aisle, the terraces Lille, Seine and Rodin as well as in room 59.
If you have no time to visit the Rodin museum you will find numerous works of him at the Musée d'Orsay as well as the sculptors Maillol, Bourdelle, Bernard and many others in all styles.
My favourite work is Albert Bartholomé's magnificent bronze statue "crying little girl" (1894).
A wide show case is completely dedicated to Edgar Degas sculptures, mainly ballerina's among which the famous "Petite danseuse de 14 ans" a bronze statue in diverse colourings, with a tutu in tulle and pink ribbon in her hair. The original wax statue was strongly criticized for her hyperrealism at an exhibition in 1881.The bronze statue was made after the death of Edgar Degas.

Open 9.30 - 18 h (on Thursday 21.45 h). Closed on Monday.
Tickets can be bought from 9 h on.
Price (2013) 9 €. Reduced 18 - 30 yr 6,50 €. Free less than 18 yr or 18 - 25 yr from the EU .

========================================

Le musée d'Orsay présente près de 200 sculptures du 19e siècle dans l'allée centrale, les terrasses Lille, Seine et Rodin ainsi que dans la salle 59. Si vous n'avez pas le temps de visiter le musée Rodin vous trouverez de nombreuses œuvres à Orsay ainsi que les sculpteurs Maillol, Bourdelle, Bernard et bien d'autres dans tous les styles.
Mon œuvre préférée est une merveilleuse statue en bronze d'Albert Bartholomé "Petite fille pleurant" (1894).
Au niveau supérieur, salle 31, une large vitrine est entièrement consacrée à des œuvres d'Edgar Degas principalement des danseuses dont la fameuse "Petite danseuse de 14 ans" une statue en bronze avec patine aux diverses colorations, avec tutu en tulle et ruban rose dans les cheveux.
A l'époque (1881) cette statue réaliste à l'origine en cire fut fortement critiquée; on lui trouva un visage "marque d'un caractère particulièrement vicieux"!
L'édition en bronze fut faite après la mort de Degas; la statuette du musée d'Orsay est un exemplaire.

This museum is one of my favorite museums, not only in Paris but worldwide. However, it's located in Paris and not worldwide, on the left bank of the Seine, in the 7th arondissement. You can only see it when you travel to Paris.

It's a fascinating art museum located in an exciting building - the former Gare d'Orsay (Orsay Railway Station), built between 1898 and 1900 in the art déco style. Inside you'll first of all notice its impressive clock. Then you'll have the pleasure of admiring paintings, sculptures, furniture, and photography. It accommodates the largest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist masterpieces in the world, for example by famous painters such as Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir, Cézanne, Seurat, Sisley, Gauguin and van Gogh - all of them my favorite painters. You can imagine that I had a field day in this museum!

Another bit of trivia: the Musée d'Orsay was used as a set for several films, among them "The Trial" by Franz Kafka.

2 more images

Before my first visit to the Musée d'Orsay I ignored who was Gustave Caillebotte.
Today I am grateful to this generous sponsor of impressionistic painters such as Degas, Monet and Renoir and collector of impressionist art who bequeathed to the French State 67 paintings of which 27 were refused by the National Museums who considered these paintings as "drift of an unhealthy art"!
In those times (1896) the public and administrations were less fond of impressionism than a century later.

But Caillebotte was also a talented painter who painted about 500 works in a style often more realistic than that of his impressionistic friends.
The painter Caillebotte became famous for his sights of the streets of Paris made since balconies, for scenes of the labour life such as the "Raboteurs de parquet - parquet planers" , for landscapes of gardens and parks.
He was a rich man, a naval architect what explains that he often painted nautical scenes as he participated to regattas.

Open 9.30 - 18 h (on Thursday 21.45 h). Closed on Monday.
Tickets can be bought from 9 h on.
Price (2013) 9 €. Reduced 18 - 30 yr 6,50 €. Free less than 18 yr or 18 - 25 yr from the EU .



======================================

Mécène et peintre.
J'ignorais qui était Gustave Caillebotte avant ma première visite au Musée d'Orsay. Aujourd'hui j'ai de la reconnaissance pour ce mécène généreux envers les peintres impressionnistes et collectionneur qui légua à l'Etat Français 67 tableaux mais dont les Musées Nationaux refusèrent 27 tableaux considérés comme "dérives d'un art malsain". A l'époque (1896) on était moins friand d'impressionnisme qu'un siècle plus tard.
Mais Caillebotte était aussi un peintre talentueux qui peignit quelque 500 oeuvres dans un style souvent plus réaliste que celui de ses amis impressionnistes.
L'œuvre la plus célèbre est bien sur "les Raboteurs de parquet" .
Cette salle comporte d'autres belles œuvres de Caillebotte.

4 more images

Update: There was serious renovation going on 2010 and 2011 so many works were touring during this time period. Also, and importantly, the museum has changed its policy on photography. No photos are allowed in the museum. Here is my "rough" translation of why: "It is forbidden to photograph and film in the Museum. To preserve the comfort of visit and works as security, it is now forbidden to photograph or film in the rooms of the Museum. This measure is particularly linked to the proliferation of the "end of arm" shots via mobile phones. Reproductions of most of the works from the collections can be downloaded from the site (catalogue of works, including commented works)." In English: http://www.musee-orsay.fr/en/visit/individuals/copying-filming-photography.html

Regarding the renovation time span: "In 2012, further small galleries will in turn be transformed. We will then tackle the spaces on the median level on the Seine side. All the renovation work should be finished around 2015." The museum is open during ongoing work and should not be missed.

Original Tip:
The Musée d'Orsay is a transformed train station and the architecture is nearly as fascinating as the art collection inside. The former Gare d'Orsay, closed to trains in 1973, was inaugurated as a museum in 1986 by then-President Mitterrand.

This is where the Impressionists are exhibited, where you find Van Gogh, Pisarro, Manet, Monet, Renoir, Cezanne, Seurat, Millet, sculpture by Rodin and the list goes on.

Many people expect these paintings to be in the Louvre and are disappointed when they don't see them. If you are looking for them, be sure to visit the d'Orsay and enjoy. Be sure to climb to the top floor and view the inside of the museum. Also view Sacre Coeur from behind the very large window clock facing the basilique on a hill. It's a magnificent view of Paris.

It can get very crowded inside the museum so we like to go a bit later in the day and start at the top floor and work our way down. One of my husband's favorites is "The Angelus" by Millet and we always visit that before we leave.

2 more images

Since the renovation works the Van Gogh paintings have been moved downstairs to the Niveau Médian 2 in rooms 71 and 72.
Unfortunately from the 25 works the Musée d'Orsay has on its catalogue, only twelve are on display among with my favorites:
"La nuit étoilée", "L'église d'Auvers-sur-Oise, vue du chevet", "Chaumes de Cordeville à Auvers-sur-Oise", "Le docteur Paul Gachet".
But my favored "Les roulottes, campement de bohémiens aux environs d'Arles" or "Fritillaires couronne impériale dans un vase de cuivre" are not on display! Why?
I would recommend to art lovers who come from afar to see specific paintings to consult the website of the Musée d'Orsay at Interactive Floor Plan - Map Searching the Gallery to find out if the painting(s) they want to see are present at the museum.

For me Van Gogh represents as much in my initiation to art as Pieter Bruegel: I discovered Van Gogh, when I was 7 years old, from reproductions of his works in a calendar. I presume that these paintings now at Orsay "impregnated" me when I was a kid and opened my liking for impressionism.

From his early period in Holland there are two paintings on display in room 72. The "Tête de paysanne hollandaise" is not what I like most with Van Gogh. It is clear that his art improved when he reached Paris and assimilated the style of the Impressionist trend.
It appears that the talent of Van Gogh developed in the same proportion as the intensity of the sunlight. The summit is reached under the sun of the Provence.

Writing this tip I looked at the comment of CatherineReichhardt "OK, I FINALLY get van Gogh" and can only regret that she is no more writing on VT .