Three museums, one day
We were only planning on visiting the Louvre, but somehow we ended up at three museums in one day. Wouldn't necessarily recommend going to three in one day, but it was pretty fun, because each museum held such different and unique pieces.
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Museum #1
Louvre
Our second trip, because we didn't get through much during our first go.
Mission: Mona.
Went through the Greek, French, and Italian sections today. The attention to detail in each painting and sculpture is honestly so mind blowing. Everything about the Louvre points to the details of the art.
Pro Tip: Get there as early as possible, when we were there at around 10:30am there were already 40,000 people that had visited today. People do not mess around when it comes to the Louvre. Be dedicated to arriving early or brave the mobs of tour groups.
Especially the room that housed this infamous work of art by the great, Leonardo Da Vinci.
The Mona Lisa is small. And only famous because it was stolen. But still pretty cool to see the world's most famous painting in person, behind bullet-proof glass.
The Louvre Part II was great!
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Museum #2
Musée de l'Orangerie
Mission: Monet
After visiting the gardens in Giverny, we had to come to this museum (conveniently located just south of the Louvre gardens) to see the panoramic paintings of the waterlilies.
To say that I was impressed is an understatement. I could honestly have gazed at these works for hours. But unfortunately we had to leave in a hurry to make it to class on time.
The paintings that went around the entire room seemed to transport me right back to the gardens, the effect was amazing. The way that Monet captures such similar scenes in such particular ways by adjusting the hues and patterns, is spectacular. I will admire his work until the day I die.
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Museum #3
Centre Georges Pompidou
Mission: Contemporary Art
Not everyone's cup of tea, but I personally loved the Pompidou! The building structure sticks out like a sore thumb in Paris with its giant piping, colorful steel, and massive escalator, but somehow the quirkiness of the surrounding neighborhood makes it work.
Once you go all the way up the escalator to the top floor, you get an incredible view of Paris. You can see Notre Dame (not pictured, on the other side), the Eiffel Tower, La Defense, and Sacre Coeur all in one sweeping gaze.
Here, I saw Picasso's many grand works including "Le guitariste," an iconic painting using the unmistakable artistry of Cubism, one that I remember studying in third grade.
I also got the chance to stand in awe and revel at masterminds, Matisse and Mondrian, epic artists from the early twentieth century.
I love how eclectic Matisse's style is, it is interesting to see his art go through so many different phases, such as the uniquely colorful style of Fauvism, seen above.
The Pompidou also has many things translated to English which was a huge plus!! I love learning about the background and context of different art pieces.
Matisse's "La Gerbe" with this same pattern is on display at LACMA, so it reminded me a little bit of home.
Iconic Mondrian, detectable from a mile away.
(Fun fact: the field show during my senior year in high school marching band was called "Mind of Mondrian" and we had giant Mondrian inspired art on the football field.)
The Pompidou, home of contemporary art, houses Duchamp's "Fountain," that many debate about its worth as an art piece-- but it is quite peculiar and has caught the eye of crowds over the past century, so I think it deserves its spot in the Pompidou, no matter how menial and plain the piece may seem.
In the plaza area outside of the Pompidou, there was some chalk art, including this striking piece to represent Paris' solidarity with Nice. We remain in a period of mourning for those affected in the attacks on Thursday.
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Three museums, one day, a couple of exhausted study abroad students. A successful exploration of art in Paris, I must say!
And the best part of all of this, it was free!
Visit Paris with ACCENT through UCLA IEO for your own free museum adventures!