Wednesday, February 8, 2017

The Chapel, the Crows and the Conservatory

Ste. Chapelle
We at last visited Ste. Chapelle.  There was no waiting in line and very few people inside.  What surprised me is that the chapel is about 30 feet above the ground.  We climbed one of those narrow, stone winding staircases.  The royals must have entered from an adjacent palace room.  It wasn't a particularly sunny day that would make the most of the glass and reflected light.  It was still a beautiful example of innovation, industriousness and beauty.  It incorporates one of the most extensive stained glass collection anywhere in the world.  
Musee l'Orangerie, Monet's Waterlilies

We walked through the Tuileries in order to reach the Musee l'Orangerie.  There are crows all over Paris.  The Tuileries seem to be their favorite hang out.  I'm guessing its the generosity of the people sharing bread that attracts them.  They don't mind people, but seem unsure of the pigeons. 

The l'Orangerie was originally the conservatory for the Tuileries' orange trees.  During the transformation to a museum, Claude Monet requested to donate decorative panels to the French government as celebratory pieces to commemorate the end of WWI.  It was in the redesigned rooms of l'Orangerie that they found a home.  I think these works are what attract most people.  The scale is most impressive.  I really like the Picasso pieces which are displayed opposite the Matisse works.  Two men who worked in the same period, saw each other at the Stein gatherings and completely transformed art.  Pictures of crows and other scenes at flickr.





More crows, etc at flickr.