June 30, 2019 - musee d'Orsay

Today we walked to the d'Orsay Museum, pictured above, the place where my most favorite piece of art resides.  It was somewhat of an emotional day as I set my eyes upon the original piece.  I grew up seeing a print at my Grandpa and Grandma Bjorgum's home and I reflect with fond memories of visiting them on their farm, which was only two miles from the house where I grew up in Clear Lake, Wisconsin.  Obviously as a little girl I never knew there were actually meanings behind a piece of art; it was simply a pretty picture to me that hung in my grandparents' living room. 

Years ago while perusing vendors at a flea market in Rochester, Minnesota, I discovered another picture which Grandpa and Grandma had in their home; I recognized it immediately and now have it fondly displayed in my home where I see it every day.  Simply entitled "Found."

Once we were at the d'Orsay, I couldn't wait to see the original painting which I had sought for so many years in antiques shops and flea markets.  John and I sat on a bench to look over the map of the museum to locate the gallery where the works of painter, Jean-François Millet,  were housed - that was going to be our first stop - located on Level 0, Gallery 4. (In Europe, the ground floor is Level 0, basements are Level -1, Level 1 is equivalent to the second floor in the states, etc).

And there it was - in all its beautiful glory - elegantly framed - centered with the entryway to the gallery - the piece I had been longing to see - "The Gleaners."

It is truly a simple piece, a very humble scene, as well as symbolic.  

Before John and I left the museum today, I had to cast my eyes upon the painting one last time.  With a tear or two in my eyes as we walked out of Gallery 4, I felt my journey was complete.

Here is a link if you are interested in learning about the meaning behind the piece.  The Gleaners.

I thought perhaps with this post of sharing those works of art that are John's favorite and then those that are my favorite along with perhaps a few from familiar painters thrown in the mix towards the end and a few pictures of the museum's interior. 

JOHN'S FAVORITES

"The Gates of Hell"

Sculptor:  Auguste Rodin

Link:  Gates of Hell Explained

"The Magpie"

Painter:  Claude Monet

Link:  The Magpie Explained

"L'Angelus"

Painter:  Jean-Francois Millet

Link:  L'Angelus Explained

"The Celebrities of Juste Milieu"

"Celebrities of the Just Middle"

Artist:  Honore' Daumier

Link:  Celebrities Explained

Joseph of Podenus

Jacques Lefebvre

Jean Auguste Chevandier de Valdrome

"Monsters"

Artist:  Leopold Chauveau

Link:  Artist Explained

"Cristallerie Font"

donated to Empress Eugene by 

Société de la Cristallerie de Lyon

 (no link)

This piece was A M A Z I N G to see.  It is encased and has mirrors surrounding it for viewing on all sides.  It is a holy water font.

Cindy's Favorites

You've already seen my most favorite piece above, but here are a couple more.

"The Etretat Cliffs after the Storm"

Painter:   Gustave Courbet

Link:  Painting Explained

"Chrysanthemums"

Painter:  Claude Monet

(No Link)

"Young Woman with a Veil"

Artist:  Pierre-Augusta Renoir

(No Link)

"Young Woman Seated on a Sofa"

Artist:  Berthe Morisot

(No Link)

"At the Lake"

Artist:  Berthe Morisot

(No Link)

A Few Van Gogh's

"La Meridienne"

(The Nap)

Link:  Painting Explained

"Portrait of Dr. Gache"

Link:  Painting Explained

"Self Portrait" -- with a little flare :)

Link:  Painting Explained

Views of the d'Orsay

Views from the Restaurant

This used to be a train station, as you may have guessed by the structure

 Ornate clock at the third level

And finally.....the perfect way to end the day.

Thanks for coming along with us to the Museum d'Orsay!

Next stop - Pantheon (Paris) and surrounding area.