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Paris
D'Orsay Museum: From Train Station to Miracle By
Arnie Greenberg (Above, Arnie Greenberg in Paris) It was a transformation that was praised. Designed and built as a railroad station for the world's fair in 1900, this attractive building on the banks of the Seine is now the center of paintings, sculpture, furniture and objets d'art that draws crowds all year long. Everyone knows of the d'Orsay. Here was a place where the gap between traditional and modern art could be spanned. There are furniture, sculpture, objets d'art and paintings. I always head for the Impressionists on the upper level. It's a feast for the eyes as a great architectural design or a place where art comes alive. Allow at Least Half a Day Allow at least half a day, as the museum is very large. You may get tired, but there are places to rest, various places to have lunch, and a beautiful bookstore to examine. (Look at the ceiling. It's a masterpiece!)
(The interior of the Musee D'Orsay) The large restaurant on the mezzanine was once part of the hotel that stood there. It is beautiful and expensive. For a less expensive meal, go to the top level, near the great Impressionist collection. The café offers light lunches and cold drinks. During the summer, the door from the café to the terrace is open, and sandwiches and drinks can be purchased here. I suggest you rest on the terrace, as it has a magnificent view of the Seine and much of the right bank all the way to Sacre Coeur. There is also a large lecture hall with place for 347 people. Ask at the information desk for a schedule of events. There are at least 4,000 works of art here, including furniture, sculpture and paintings. The building itself is a work of art with the best materials, escalators and six elevators, totally air conditioned with 40,000 acoustic resonators. On the main level are exquisite sculptures on the arrivals level. In the back at the far end is a cross section of the Garnier Opera that is unique. Below, through thick glass, is a beautifully-crafted miniature model of part of Paris as seen from above. Also, look for The Dance, originally created for the Garnier Opera and removed because of the scandal it caused. The Gates of Hell by Rodin is not to be missed. See the Impressionists on the Top Floor On the top floor are the Impressionist works by artists like Van Gogh, Renoir, Degas (including his horses and sculptured ballet dancers) and, of course, Cezanne, who, some say, began the Impressionist movement.
(The exterior view of the museum) On the other levels you'll see works by Eugene Delacroix, Ingres, and Sisley to name only a few. There are also exhibits on the history of cinematography and photography. There is something unique about visiting the d'Orsay Museum. First of all, it is spacious, bright, and quiet. It is extremely clean, with toilet facilities in the basement near the main entrance. But you must remember that when you are walking along the main lower level you are in the same space where train tracks held trains and people from afar. You have to see a photograph of the interior as it looked as a railway station to understand. Built at the turn of the twentieth century, the train station and hotel were transformed into this beautiful, visitor-friendly museum. It is not a place for Modern Art but a viewing site for those works, too new for the Louvre, which is across the river within view of this wonderful building. It is devoted to the artistic production between 1848 and 1914. Don't Miss Paris with a Visit Here I
have not gone to Paris without a visit to this unique building and its wonderful
collection. Each visit allows me time to see what is contained on the first and
second levels, but I invariably end at the top with a sandwich and view of this
great city and enough time to wander through the pre-1914 artists, who include
Lautrec, Valloton, Vuillard, Gaugin Bonnard, Utrillo, Denis and even Rousseau. Picture taking with a flash, an incandescent lamp, tripod or stand, except with special permission with fees. Address: Note:
Many of the works shown here were originally in the Louvre and the Jeu de Paume
until 1986. Groups:
Concerts are organized at 12:30 and 6:30 at the Salles des Fetes. Free. There
are also courses on Tues. 6:30- 8 pm (open to members) as well as lecture series
held on Sat from 11-12am. Membership entitles bearer to a 5% reduction at the bookshop. CAUTION: The museum can be crowded and line ups for meals can be long. Leave yourself enough time to wander through the exhibits slowly. I might even suggest that you start at the top and work your way down. Do not stand too close to the paintings as you will obstruct the view of others and, under no circumstances should you touch any of the art. Speak softly and don't blink. You might miss something.
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