Museums in Paris

The weather has not been cooperating.  Even though we had planned on going to several museums we decided to toss a few more in.  The latest museum opening in Paris is the Foundation Louis Vuitton   There has been a lot written about this museum since the opening from dismissing the actual building to slamming the permanent collection as sub-par pieces from each artist.

There are plenty of places in Paris that I always return to from museums, restaurants, shops etc.  The Foundation Louis Vuitton will not be one of them.  The press is correct.  The building is absurdly over the top and does not fit into the sophisticated architectual landscape of Paris.  The other thing is that the flow is terrible.  The rooms are not made for art except for the basement where shows rotate.  The show downstairs now is a combination of early 20th century pieces from museums around France that was on loan.  Pictures not allowed but the two amazing pieces were the Scream by Edward Munch and the Matisse dancers.

We came, we saw, left.

Next day we went to see the newly renovated Picasso museum.  I have been there a few times over the past three decades.  What an amazing gem.  The renovation has created a flow that works wonderfully.  The interior is old and new.  Clean lines with light washing the walls and stairs cases.  Small reveals around the perimeter of each room.  White ceilings with setbacks over each painting and light over head.  This is the grand stair case that has really not changed since the building was built in the 1800’s.

The collection is so incredible.  The show starts with Picasso’s earliest work and then continues until the end of his life.  My favorite time was between the 20’s to the mid 30’s when his paintings completely changed.  They hung them next to each other so you can see the substantial difference.

His sculptures continued through out his life.

Although dark this piece was done in the early 50’s and I had never seen it before.  Korean Massacre.

This was done in 1963, The Kiss.  Will continue to return time and time again to the Picasso Museum.

We also went to see the Corbusier exhibit at the Pompidou.  Big fan of the Pompidou.  We had seen the Corbusier exhibit at the MOMA a few years back but this one was so much better.  Interesting to see how different curators create shows.  Corbusier is known mostly as an architect and furniture designer but he was so much more than that.

He was also a painter.

A sculptor. His work is incredible.

Here is one of his classic chairs.

Models of buildings he was going to build.  Truly incredible artist that was insanely prolific.

We got our fill in of the museums.  Great day.