The blog is difficult to keep up to date. Tuesday's visit to Musee d'Orsay was wonderful. What a magnificent building! It was so bright and light for a gallery. There was a special exhibition, 'Crime and Punishment' a similar theme to that held at Geelong Gallery in the recent past. But here was an amazing collection of well known works including 'The Death of Marat' by David and several other responses to the same theme. There was even a Guillotine ready for action and a prison door with carved names on one side, obviously the prisoner's side. It was a huge exhibition and well presented. The permanent collection was stunning - was amazed by the size of Courbet's 'Studio'. The exhibition generally divided artists into rooms starting with Neo Classicism to The Nabis and Symbolists. There was such a large range of works that the Canberra paintings were hardly missed. Could have spent days but enjoyed our several hours. Was also fascinated with the decorative art - the wonderful Art Nouveau furnishings. Afterwards we walked in the wrong direction for the Open Tour Bus and ended up walking much further than we needed. From Tuesday the weather has realized it is summer and though only in the mid 20s feels quite hot. We eventually found our bus and changed to the blue line that travelled past all the exciting new development along the Seine near Bercy. This also took us to Bastille and to a superb Art Nouveau Restaurant called 'Boffrand' recommended by Maggie and lunched in style under the decorative domed ceiling. It was quite reasonably priced for the quality of the food and you felt as if you were part of the Belle Epoch. Afterwards we completed the blue tour, changed to green and managed to get the yellow home - the end of our two day hop on hop off experience. Shall finish at this point as am not sure how to save on this French computer.
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