Paris...City of Lights

A city meant for artists!... 

… Anyone who knows me knows I love Paris!  I can totally understand why it has always attracted artists. It is simply such a visual delight! … I love the “old” part of the city …it’s architecture, uniformity, romanticism … and yes … it’s galleries! 

...For me, the city is really just one big gallery!

From the street layout ....

.... To the National Opera House ...

...To the Place Vendome...

...To the Ritz...

... And then there is the Louvre...

...The Louvre and its main entrance through the Glass Pyramid...

Aw yes...The Louvre!... This gallery has so much to see it will put you in overload! ... The gallery of galleries ...  This is really a must see for every serious artist.  I spent a full day in the gallery and was exhausted by the end of it.  I’m sure I could go through it all again and see things that I’d swear I hadn’t seen the first time. I would recommend that it be taken in over several days, if you can afford it! Pictures were not allowed throughout most of the gallery, but were, going through Napoleons Apartments, these are just a few, starting with the entrance to the Louvre...

...Carousel entrance to the Louvre...

... Chandeliers in the "conversation" room...

...conversation sofas...

... Mural on one of the apartment walls...

The one picture that I was “scoping out” in the Louvre was, of course, by Elizabeth Vigée-LeBrun.  The one that was my inspiration for re-acquaintance with oilpaints!  At last I could see it “up close and personal”!  And I wasn't disappointed! I would later see more of her work in Versailles.

Most people when they think of the Louvre would probably think of the da Vinci's that hang there like the Mona Lisa or Madonna on the Rocks....and while I have great respect for this artists work...these were not the ones that impressed me the most from a technical (artistic) point of view.

One of the paintings I remember the most and really stand in awe of is “The Coronation of Napoleon” by Jacques-Louis David.  The sheer size of the work (20 ft. 4 in. X 32 ft. 1 in.) and intricate details just captivated me. I could have stood there for hours admiring the artistry of this painting! 

I really came out of the Louvre “experience” having a whole new appreciation and respect for many artists either unknown to me or those that were not “high on my radar screen”.  And, in particular, was very impressed with many of the French paintings that hang in this “grand” Gallery.