Sunday at the Museum

 The Palais Des Beaux Art is in Lille and is one of the largest museums in France.

The museum was established at the behest of Napoleon I with the popularization of art but also to find a place for the art works ceased from Churches and occupied territories of the Revolutionary Army. There were large numbers of paintings confiscated from the churches and secular homes were to be found. Fifteen cities were designated with Lille one of them.  The museum originally opened in 1809 but was later merged with a large private collection and the need for a full-scale museum was determined. The construction of the current building began in 1885 in the Belle Époche style and was completed in 1895. It is of grand scale covering 22000m2.And is the second largest in France after the Louvre. The architects were Edouard Berard and Ferdinand Etienne Charles Delmas form Paris. A large renovation took place between 1991 and 1997. The public museum which like all French public museums are free and open to the public on the first Sunday of each month. Visitors flock to these sites on first Sundays and it’s gratifying to see so many people of all ages enjoying the art work.

The works displayed are from a myriad of artists including the Watteau brothers, Joseph and Louis who were instrumental in the putting together the first collection. Naturally many of their works are included. Van Dyck, Corot, Courbet, Tissot, Rembrandt, Rueben, Delacroix, Goya, El Greco, Rodin, Claudel and many more. The spaces are light and airy with high ceilings, making ones visit a pleasure. John chose to get the headset audio tour while I decided to struggle through and practice my French reading skills. At the end of our very long tour we shared what we had learned from this fascinating place. Below I have some photos that depict certain pieces I was drawn to however there were so many wonderful works it is overwhelming to try and  see all on  one free Sunday!

Graceful stairway to the painting galleries

Belle Époche cupola and domed glass windows with stained glass

Beautiful Colours

Alfred Agache: Flowers in a young girls arms

A Very Poor Photo of a
Luscious Bouquet by Delacroix

An example of the much sought Gallé glassware

By Amaury Duval. Isn't she lovely?

Charles de la Fosse depiction of the Virgin...one of the most beautiful I've seen

Bethlehem Census, painted by Pieter Brueghel the Elder in 1566 a Flemish Renaissance painter treating a biblical story as a contemporary event or possibly making commentary on bureaucratic methods

The Convalescent by Bernard Boutet de Monvel 1906...have a look at how many such named paintings exist by different artists

The Burghers of Calais- Auguste Rodin 

Afternoon Tea in the Garden, by a contemporay of the impressionists,  Ernest Joseph Laurent 1904

By Alfred Sisley and one we wish we had!

Charles X ...a handsome kinda guy  and rather a familiar face don't you think? by Theophile Bra

The Sculpture Hall

Below are some examples from the ceramic and porcelain displays. This being one of my favourite things, I spent a great deal of time here peering into the glass cases. The Delft was magnificent and the collection holds some stunning pieces. Note the tulip vase below. These were made especially for tulips, when in the Dutch Golden Era, the craze for these bulbs became known as tulip mania, reaching its peak in 1637. The rise of the tulip coincided with the rise and good fortunes of Dutch trade. Wealthy burghers built large homes surrounded by extensive gardens with the tulip having pride of place.  Thus, it became a coveted luxury item and as a result a profusion of varieties evolved. And so did the vases and containers that held them.

The perfect platter for a crown roast of pork this Christmas Season

Tulip Vase

The magnificent Palais des Beaux Arts building is reflected in the glass facade of the "Lame" building behind the main museum that contains the conservation and restoration departments, administrative offices and museum restaurant.  

The reflection is magnificent and disconcerting at the same time...a true art piece.

Two of these giant glass and steel chandeliers, designed by Gaetano Pesce hang in the main entryway, a grand and colourful start and finish to a day at the Museum.

There always is a chocolate somewhere and after a museum it tastes very good!

Fine Artwork