Museums in Paris: Musée de l'Orangerie #1 (Part 4 of 4)

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.)