I was on winter break this month, so in theory I had plenty of time, but I felt pressed by a few deadlines and didn’t make it to a museum suitable for a new post.
It is the Graces, of course! I am in love with them. As for what's next, I have little time this month, planning a short post on a little-known museum...
This is wonderful. I love how you create the feeling of time passing with the examples of the map of the monastery and then the Thomas painting...it's fascinating to think the objects depicted once existed but now they only exist as representations in paintings. I really don't know much about this type of art but it's always enjoyable to follow the threads and stories related in your museum visits.
My one and only Louvre experience was unfortunately totally wasted--I'd been out at a club until the early hours the night before (or the morning of), went back to my hostel to sleep for a few hours, then went to the museum hungover and with no plan. I wandered around for a bit but didn't really have the energy to see much, although maybe that's okay too. You can't see it all in one go and if you do, you probably don't really "see" a lot anyway. I was 20, so, that's just how it is I guess. I'll be back one day...
I’m glad you liked the monastery section, this story is special for me—when I went back to school for art history my first class was on French architecture of the 17th/18th centuries, I chose the Luxembourg Gardens for my paper topic and the most exciting part was learning about the Carthusians, somehow it left an impression on me (that was 2012, I only found the painting with the map in 2019)
from my first visit (in 2004, when I was 28) all I remember is the Botticelli fresco and Nike of Samothrace. since the two are next to each other this means I have no recollection of the day apart from a few minutes
Finally had a lull between projects to read your Louvre piece. I made notes so here they are.
What do you like about the Boticelli painting? The way he painted the women?
I like Valentin. In some ways he was a better painter than Caravaggio.
As for the dollar against the euro, it has weakened by almost 2 cents. I just bought some.
The Pietá is very moving. All the facial expressions seem natural.
When that monastery in Paris was destroyed, a lot of art must have gone with it, except of course the paintings that escaped earlier.
Hell is certainly more relevant today than heaven.
Everything will eventually be gone, the human species sooner than later.
An exhibition of all the boars would be fun. There could be a screening of Babe along with it.
Very entertaining writing.
What are you covering next?
It is the Graces, of course! I am in love with them. As for what's next, I have little time this month, planning a short post on a little-known museum...
Looking forward to your next piece. Good luck with all the work.
This is wonderful. I love how you create the feeling of time passing with the examples of the map of the monastery and then the Thomas painting...it's fascinating to think the objects depicted once existed but now they only exist as representations in paintings. I really don't know much about this type of art but it's always enjoyable to follow the threads and stories related in your museum visits.
My one and only Louvre experience was unfortunately totally wasted--I'd been out at a club until the early hours the night before (or the morning of), went back to my hostel to sleep for a few hours, then went to the museum hungover and with no plan. I wandered around for a bit but didn't really have the energy to see much, although maybe that's okay too. You can't see it all in one go and if you do, you probably don't really "see" a lot anyway. I was 20, so, that's just how it is I guess. I'll be back one day...
I’m glad you liked the monastery section, this story is special for me—when I went back to school for art history my first class was on French architecture of the 17th/18th centuries, I chose the Luxembourg Gardens for my paper topic and the most exciting part was learning about the Carthusians, somehow it left an impression on me (that was 2012, I only found the painting with the map in 2019)
from my first visit (in 2004, when I was 28) all I remember is the Botticelli fresco and Nike of Samothrace. since the two are next to each other this means I have no recollection of the day apart from a few minutes
Good to know there is still hope for me!