Our tour of the Musée de l'Orangerie continues.
Pop quiz: Why was the l'Orangerie repurposed as a museum?
According to Musee-Orangerie.fr: "[I]n 1921, the State assigned the building to the Under-Secretariat of State for Fine Arts, together with its counterpart the Jeu de Paume, built in 1862 on the terrace lining the rue de Rivoli. The idea was to provide a space to exhibit works by living artists. It was at this moment that Georges Clemenceau (1841-1929), President of the Council, suggested that the large Water Lilies set that Claude Monet (1840-1926) was painting at the time and which he had donated to the State be installed at the Orangerie . . .." Monet donated the paintings as a symbol of peace after France's victory in WWI.
"Claude Monet spent a lot of time on the architectural design alongside the architect Camille Lefèvre (1876-1946). In the end, 8 panels, each 2 metres high and spanning a total length of 91 metres, were arranged in 2 oval rooms that form the symbol of infinity. Their east-west orientation places them in the path of the sun and along the historical axis of Paris which runs from the Arc de Triomphe to the Louvre. A vestibule provides access to the two rooms and marks the transition from the outside world. Finally, the natural light that enters though the ceiling immerses visitors in a state of grace, as intended by the painter."
The Water Lilies (les Nymphéas):
Thanks for touring the Musée de l'Orangerie with us. We hope you enjoyed the visit. (We bought an annual pass. So, let's visit again.)
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