After more than a year of work the Gustave Moreau Museum reopens (January 22) with two new features : the rooms on the ground floor restored (80 m2) and a cabinet of graphic arts (restricted to researchers, on demand). www.musee-moreau.fr

Located in the heart of the romantic area of la Nouvelle Athènes (between Trinité and Place Blanche), the house-museum Gustave Moreau is both a place of charm and collections. This was indeed the house and studio of Gustave Moreau (1826-1898) during a large part of his life. The museum (opened in 1903) houses the major part of the artwork the artist legate to The French State. More than 15,000 master’s creations, drawings, watercolors (art considered minor, in which he excelled), paintings, sculptures, are preserved in this timeless place, held in the state since the death of the artist in 1898. In addition to this collection nearly 10,000 works and objets d’art.
Gustave Moreau has for master Chasseriau and taught at the School of Fine Arts to students that become famous : Matisse, Manguin, Marquet … He was a friend of Degas to whom he taught the use of pastel … He drew his inspiration from mythology, the Renaissance, the Middle Ages. Precursor of Fauvism, Abstraction, this genious of drawing, watercolor, painting, pastel, unfortunately does not have the reputation it should have.
It’s time to discover or rediscover the museum, its formidable collection and charming neighborhood where still roam the memories of George Sand and Chopin.

To extend the tour, you can stroll in the footsteps of artists who lived in the neighborhood in the 1850s and discover its architectural treasures by downloading our Art Walk. (only inFrench for the moment)

– Museum of Romantic Life, www.vie-romantique.paris.fr, Paris 8e
A romantic house from the XIXe th century in a charming garden where you can have a tea break after the visit

– Museum Jacquemart-André, www.musee-jacquemart-andre.com/en/home, Paris 17e
A beautiful mansion from XIXe th century with a collection of paintings and objets d’art from the XVIIIe th and XIX th century, with a beautiful tea room

– Musée Cernuschi, www.cernuschi.paris.fr/en/home, Paris 8e
Bronze of Imperial China, from Xth to XIXth century, in a charming museum of asian art, near Parc Monceau

– Musée Guimet, www.guimet.fr , Paris 16e
Rosanjin art, genius of japanese cooking, in the biggest museum of asian art of Paris

and discover Paris while walking using our “Artistic Itineraries ” to download and follow on your smartphone

The Pinacoteca of Paris offers us until March 17, two exhibitions coupled: Hiroshige, The Art of Travel and Van Gogh, Dreams of Japan, highlighting how this Japanese art of printmaking and in particular that of the master Utagawa Hiroshige influenced Van Gogh in his creation.
It is difficult to imagine in 2012, in the era of Internet and unlimited access to the information available in the world, how could be upsetting for the French Impressionists, and Van Gogh in particular, the discovery of a radically new representation proposed by these Japanese prints. A photographic framing with off-center subjects or zoom on the foreground figures, bold colors with blue, red, yellow, importance given to landscape and nature, series representations depending on the season or time of the day, moving figures in postures of daily living (running under the rain, for example), many innovations that inspired Van Gogh when he discovered them during the late nineteenth century in Antwerp and at the Parisian art dealer Bing, a great admirer and promoter of “Japonism” which influenced the Impressionists (Monet, Manet, …) and Art Nouveau in the early twentieth century.
Both exhibitions, see successively Hiroshige first and second Van Gogh, were designed quite remarkable to show us the specifics of prints of a great master on the one hand and the influence they had on a Van Gogh in search of exoticism. Colors, compositions, topics, framing, were transformed by Van Gogh in the south of France, in Saint Rémy de Provence, inspired by this dreamed Japan (see our picture above the Olive groves fromVan Gogh and the image at the bottom of the article Pines in Sea Side by Hiroshige).

A beautiful time of discoveries and colorful journey to live absolutely                         www.pinacotheque.com

The Dome of Galeries Lafayette celebrates its 100 th anniversary and offers the opportunity of a highly original exhibition at La Galerie des Galeries (the art galery at the 1st floor of the store). Following the creative path, we discover how this amazing dome made of glass and steel, in a perfect Art Nouveau style, created in 1912 by the architect Ferdinand Chanut and the master glassmaker Jacques Gruber, following a neobyzantine inspiration, helped the popularity of the building.
At the same time, was created by Louis Majorelle, another great master of l’Ecole de Nancy, the majestic staircase decorated with floral subjects (which no longer exists) and the ironwork balconies that give the building its so famous theatrical setting.

Galeries Lafayette each year attract 30 million visitors. In 2011, it has been recorded 38 million visitors in Paris … this is by far one of the most visited places in Paris !

Beyond shopping, this is a must see for any discoverer of the capital and the French elegance.

Galeries Lafayette wish to cultivate this image avant garde initiated by  the Dome and its revolutionary architecture of glass and steel at the beginning of the twentieth century. La Galerie des Galeries contributes largely presenting creations in the field of visual arts, fashion and design, focusing on highly original scenographies.

An exhibition to discover until 26 january.
www.galeriedesgaleries.com

– Maillol Museum : Canaletto in Venezia (see our article)  www.museemaillol.com A pleasant exhibition about this famous vedute maker and a step on our “Montparnasse – Rue du Bac Artistic Itinerary” to download 

– Jacquemart-André Museum : Canaletto and Guardi www.canaletto-guardi.com/en
An exhibition about Canaletto and his follower Guardi, famous for his caprici (whims), sort of imaginated landscapes. Also an opportunity to discover Jacquemart-André Museum and its exiting area downloading our “Monceau-Ternes Artistic Itinerary “

– Orsay Museum : Impressionism and Fashion www.musee-orsay.fr
An elegant testimony of Impressionism period

– Luxembourg Museum : The modern art club, avant-garde collectors in Le Havre www.museeduluxembourg.fr
An interesting collection of french  modern art and an opportunity to stroll in the beautiful Luxembourg garden enjoying its autumn colors 

– Grand Palais : Bohemias www.rmn.fr 
How Bohemia and Bohemians were treated in painting

– Musée de Montmartre : Autour du Chat Noir www.museedemontmartre.fr
An exhibition on the famous Cabaret “Le Chat Noir” (the black cat) and the artistic life in Montmartre at the end of the XIX th century. Also a charming place in the eart of Montmartre vineyards. A step on our next Itinerary to be published in October !

– Romantic Life Museum : Romantic Interiors (see our article)
A collection of XIXth century watercolors on european interiors. Also an opportunity to stroll in the nice area of “La nouvelle Athènes” nearby. Our next Artistic Itinerary to be published in October !

Enjoy your visits and extend it downloading The Unsuasual Artistic Itineraries from Parisforart ! 

The Jacquemart-André Museum proposes until 14 January a beautiful exhibition about the two Venetian masters : Canaletto and Guardi. We discover the vedute from the two painters with a 3D effect, a work on light and a fine touch from Canaletto, while Guardi favors a touch more vivid and large almost impressionistic. Whims are also honored. These imaginary views including ruins in an antique style, contributed greatly to the success of Guardi. Our favorite is this Venetian campiello Caprice, a large gouache on paper, deep blue.
Do not forget to admire Bellotto’s small paintings, with an amazing realism !

An exhibition to discover on the  Unusual Artistic Itinerary    Monceau-Ternes to download on parisforart.com

Paris, Musée Jacquemart-André – Institut de France ; © Studio Sébert Photographes

The Museum of Romantic Life offers until January 13 a delicious exhibition dedicated to Romantic Interiors in Europe and Russia with 80 watercolors (between 1820 and 1890) from the private collection of Eugene V. Thaw.
These watercolors are to be contemplated carefully in order to detect the charming details of these refined interiors: ray of light bathed living, delicate bouquet placed on a dresser, silky fabric adorning a window, or share moments of privacy in a family music room or surprise king Louis-Philippe in his study at the castle of Neuilly. Our Favorite is this amazing watercolor from Louise Cochelet, a friend and reader of Hortense de Beauharnais, dating from 1816, showing her living room on Lake Constance. Particularly simple, this daydream is a stunning modern for the period. An exhibition to discover taking your time.
http://www.paris.fr/loisirs/musees-expos/musee-de-la-vie-romantique/interieurs-romantiques-aquarelles-1820-1890/rub_5851_actu_117547_port_24533 (only in a French Version !)

A milestone on the “Trinité to Montmartre Itineray” to be published in October !

The Maillol Museum offers until February 10 the exhibition Canaletto in Venice. We discover the famous Venetian vedute who made the fame of the artist, and  quickly understand why this success was so fast and durable.
Canaletto had developed an innovative approach for the treatment of perspective that he steadily improved, and this was combined with research to make light natural.
Drawings, use of the camera obscura (optical device for projecting a real view on a paper in order to draw it), juxtaposition of different and concomitant viewpoints make this Venetian life becomes more lifelike with a peak for this “Staircase of the Giants in the Ducal Palace” (174 x 136 cm, our photograph) where the 3D effect is such that we would like to enter the picture! Awesome! Venetian getaway in the heart of Paris and step on the Artistic Itineray from Montparnasse to Rue du Bac to download 

The well preserved historic city center has kept its charm of the XVIII th and XIX th centuries. Very pleasant to amble, visit the churches and museums, or for a gastronomic pause. www.compiegne-tourisme.fr 

What are you doing next Saturday ?

Paris 8th arrondissement

Nissim de Camondo museum
63 rue de Monceau, 8th arrondissement , Tel. +331 53 89 06 50
http://www.lesartsdecoratifs.fr/francais/nissim-de-camondo/
This museum is Baron Moîse de Camondo’s former private mansion, dedicated to his son, Nissim.
It houses an exceptional collection of 18th century furniture and objets d’art which remain as they were upon the death of their owner in 1935. A timeless visit which is an absolute must-see
Our favourites: a Bonheur du jour writing table by Martin Carlin , a chiffonier table by Jean-Henri Riesener, the kitchens on the ground floor.
To discover in our Monceau-Ternes Artistic Itinerary  

Jacquemart-André museum
158 boulevard Haussmann, 8th arrondissement , Tel. +331 45 62 11 59
www.musee-jacquemart-andre.com
This sumptuous private mansion from the end of the 19th century houses collections from the Jacquemart-André couple who were Renaissance to 18th century art enthusiasts: furniture, objets d’art, paintings, sculptures, etc.
Our favourites: Ecce omo (around 1500) by Mantegna, portrait of Mathilde de Canisy (1738) by Nattier, a chest of drawers by Jean-Henri Riesener around 1780.
The museum also organises temporary exhibitions presenting private collections from abroad.
The advantage: The couple’s dining room, now the Café Jacquemart-André, is one of the most beautiful tea rooms in Paris and perfect for taking a break or having lunch before or after your visit.
To discover in our Monceau-Ternes Artistic Itinerary  

Cernuschi museum
7 avenue Velasquez, 8th arrondissement, Tel.: +331 53 96 21 50
www.cernuschi.paris.fr
This museum, composed of the private collection of Henri Cernuschi (1821-1896), a rich banker from the Second Empire and great traveller, presents Asian antiques alongside a vast permanent collection and thematic temporary exhibitions combining antique and modern art.
To discover in our Monceau-Ternes Artistic Itinerary  

Paris 9th arrondissement

The Museum of Romantic Life
Scheffer-Renan hotel
16 rue Chaptal, 75009 Paris, Tel.: + 33 1 55 31 95 67
Search for the museum on www.paris.fr
Underground: Saint Georges, closed on Mondays
Right in the heart of the New Athens district, this 19th century private mansion, nestled in the depths of a garden, houses a collection of 19th century works and objets d’art as well as temporary exhibitions about this era. Perfectly romantic!
The advantage: The small tea room open in the greenhouse, in front of the garden, from mid-April to mid-October. For some romantic refreshment

Gustave Moreau museum
14 rue de La Rochefoucauld, 75009 Paris, Tel.: + 33 1 48 74 38 50
Underground: Trinité or Saint-Georges , closed on Tuesdays
www.musee-moreau.fr
This museum, the painter Gustave Moreau’s (1826 – 1898) former home and workshop, has kept its 19th century charm. It contains a large collection of drawings (around 5,000), watercolours and paintings (nearly 1,300) by the artist, who played a major role in the Symbolist movement.

Paris 15th arrondissement 

Musée Bourdelle
18 rue Antoine Bourdelle, 75015 Paris, Tel. 01 49 54 73 73
www.bourdelle.paris.fr
Underground : Montparnasse 
Based around the preserved studios of the sculptor Antoine Bourdelle (1861-1929) in a garden, the museum has retained all of their original charm. We can discover a rich collection of works from which the famous bas-reliefs for the Théâtre des Champs Elysées de Paris (1910).
A very pleasant visit to do by good weather in order to enjoy the quiet place and contemplate the works that marked the begining of the XXth century.
Our favorite ; the equestrian statue nestled in the garden

Paris 17th arrondissement 

Jean-Jacques Henner museum
43 avenue de Villiers,75017 Paris, Tel.: +331 47 63 42 73
www.musee-henner.fr
Set up in a 19th century private mansion, this museum displays a selection of works by the artist Jean-Jacques Henner (1829-1905), “official” artist, awarded the Grand Prix de Rome, contemporary of the impressionists.
To discover in our Monceau-Ternes Artistic Itinerary