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Rockefeller Collection on View at Christie’s Paris

Rockefeller Collection on View at Christie’s Paris

by | Mar 16, 2018 | Art, Museums

Want to have a museum experience without going to a museum?  Then head over to Christie’s to see the Peggy and David Rockefeller collection on view.

David Rockefeller was the grandson of John D. Rockefeller – oil magnate and industrialist who founded Standard Oil Company.  David and his wife, Margaret – or Peggy – travelled extensively and collected voraciously.  But, only of the best of the best.  And, supposedly, they both had to agree on any purchase.

If you don’t think it is the best of the best, then take a look at what is hung on the walls of the Christie’s showroom.  Spend your time wisely ogling absolute masterpieces from a list of painters that span much of art history.  Along with collections (plural) covering all of art history from ancient Chinese bronze and porcelain, to French Sèvres porcelain made for the Emperor Napoleon I. The collection even includes  hand-carved duck decoys.

You will find paintings by Eugène Delacroix, Paul Cézanne, Paul Gauguin, Georges Seurat and Auguste Renoir. And, Edward Hopper, Willem de Kooning, Alexander Calder, Georgia O’Keefe, even Diego Rivera.  Oh, wait, and a lot more!

The Water Lilies of Giverny on Display

A water lily painting by Claude Monet, Nymphéas en fleur, will transport you instantly to Giverny, Monet’s estate outside Paris.  Pablo Picasso’s Fillette à la corbeille fleurie (Young Girl with a Flower Basket) is from 1905. Gertrude Stein bought this work from Pablo Picasso himself.  There is also Henri Matisse’s, Odalisque couchée aux magnolias, which according to Christie’s, is “among the greatest of Matisse’s paintings in private hands.”

Where can you see things like this?  At auction houses in Paris.  So, if you want a small dose of museum quality art, and maybe even on a very specialized subject, check out the auction houses.

Remember if you decide to purchase something at this auction, all revenues from the sales will be donated to philanthropic causes. Estimates start as low as $200. Because of this, plan to get your wallet out.

If you are in Paris during this extraordinary exhibition, go to Christie’s to see a collection that will likely never be together again.

The Collection of Peggy and David Rockefeller

Where:  Christie’s Paris
Address:  9 Avenue Matignon
Arrondissement:  8th
Nearest Métro:  Franklin D. Roosevelt
When:  March 16-21, 2018
Official website:  https://www.christies.com

Palais Royal Gardens (Jardin du Palais-Royal)

Palais Royal Gardens (Jardin du Palais-Royal)

by | Mar 14, 2018 | Gardens

All of the excitement of the Louvre and rue de Rivoli! Seeing the glinting gold statues of the Palais Garnier in the distance from the busy intersection of avenue de l’Opera and rue Saint Honore can be overwhelming.  So much beauty. So many people going to and fro.  Cars whizzing by, performers performing….  But, just a few paces away, you can duck into one of the most serene places in Paris – the Palais Royal gardens which are surrounded by solemn arcades and stoic buildings.

Cross the Place Collette with its Metro entrance decorated with open work domes made of multi-colored balls – the Comedie Francaise theater will be in front and a cafe or two will be on the right.  Go through the arches and enter a paved courtyard with a controversial (what’s new in Paris?) sculpture by Daniel Buren. It was installed in 1986 and is known as ‘les colonnes de Buren.’   This collection of black and white striped octagonal columns of different heights beg for children of all ages to sit on them, to jump over them and to generally enjoy them before crossing an arcade into the gardens.

18th Century Revisited at Palais Royal Gardens

Once inside the magnificent courtyard, admire the buildings around the garden that are the epitome of 18th century style and begin a stroll through the gardens themselves which exemplify subdued elegance.  However, this was not always the case.  In the 19th century, ladies of the night waited in the arcades to entice those looking for love – or at least a bit of fun, while gambling casinos lured those hoping to beat the house.

Palais-Royal facade and arcade

Palais-Royal

Today, the arcades house a few shops and a famous restaurant, Le Grand Véfour.  It is the first grand restaurant in Paris which opened in 1784.  Symmetrical rows of lime trees soothe and beckon visitors to linger and enjoy the shade.  In the spring and summer, the middle gardens come alive with lush, nodding rose blossoms, the water fountain sings in the background, pigeons fly and coo, people dot the benches and a quiet calm prevails.  In winter the gardens are no less enticing.  The leafless trees and the staid surroundings inspire introspection, reflection and allow those who visit a moment to collect their thoughts.

What do you think of the Palais Royal Gardens?  One of your favorite spaces?

Palais Royal Gardens

What makes it special:  Quiet space near many monuments and places of interest.  Great place to enjoy a snack or baguette lunch.  Enchanting garden.
Nearest Métro:  Palais Royal Musée du Louvre (Lines 1 and 7) or Pyramides (Line 14)
Arrondissement:  1st
Suggested time to visit:  During daylight hours
Official website: http://www.domaine-palais-royal.fr/en/

 

Enchanting Gardens in Paris

Enchanting Gardens in Paris

by | Sep 30, 2017 | Gardens

Paris is filled with enchanting gardens.  They lurk around corners, occupy the widest expanses and are perfect for picnics!  Gardens are the subject of intense discussion (and often heated debates) by those who plant them, tend them and enjoy them.  From the most mild mannered passerby to the petanque players at their daily games to the horticulture groups that tour gardens rattling off every plant’s name in Latin.  Everyone has an opinion on gardens. It seems this is because the Parisians want the gardens to be the best they can be.

Once, in the early spring, workers input plants in the freshly turned beds.  They discussed the plantings, then broke for lunch.  When they returned, the men stood back, hands on hips, scrutinizing the locations of each plant. Pointing and talking, moving themselves left and right for different vantage points.  After talking some more and contemplating the spacing, they moved some of the plants around.  Then, when completely satisfied, the shovels came out and they began digging holes for the new plants.

Gardens are Serious Business in Paris

That example illustrates that gardens are a serious business to Parisians.  Gardens provide respite from the heat, a green space for children to run and ponds for sailing miniature boats.  They can be a shortcut to briskly cross to the next destination.  Or, a place to find a chair in which to relax and soak in the sunshine.  Gardens can be plant-filled beds for ambling by and admiring flowers, or shaded paths to walk under and softly discuss matters of love.  Some have fountains to drown out the noise of cars and other people, or a bench from which to contemplate the next season.  Ask any Parisian why a garden is important, and these are only a few of the reasons that may be given.

Paris has so many gardens, who knows if anyone but the government has a real list?  Write in with your favorite Parisian enchanting garden and explain why it is enchanting to you.