An Art Historian's Guide to Paris
By Ava Palermo
The Louvre, Paris
When I first begin to think of Paris, my mind can be immediately found wandering among the likes of Edgar Degas and his delicately painted ballerinas, Claude Monet’s magnificent waterlilies, and of course, amid the beautiful scenes of Pierre-Auguste Renoirs’ Impressionist scenes of beauty and femininity. Since the beginning of the 20th-century Paris has undoubtedly become the cultural hub of art, creativity, beauty, and everything that goes with them. Over the years, the “City of Lights” has welcomed renowned visitors of art and literature with open arms. The creative minds of Pablo Picasso, Amadeo Modigliani, Henri Matisse, Marcel Proust, Ernest Hemingway, Igor Strawinsky, Salvador Dali, Josephine Baker, and James Joyce, are just a handful of those who lived in Paris during this monumentally influential period in European culture.
Victor Navlet, Vue générale de Paris, prise de l'Observatoire, en ballon, 1855, oil on canvas, 5 x 7m, Musée d'Orsay, Paris
I think that it can, without a doubt, be said that all art history aficionados will sooner or later find themselves among the streets of Paris, mesmerized by its beautiful architecture and abundance of museums housing the works of all the greats. Travelers come from far and wide to visit this breathtaking capital of art and culture. I have many times found myself among them; I am sure many St Andrews students can attest to having found themselves spellbound by this magical city. A city that is an artistic masterpiece all on its own. As an avid visitor of Paris, I have worked out on these pages a meticulously curated “Art Historians Guide to Paris”, adding to the collection presented so far by HASTA. I hope you will take this guide and use it to fulfil your art-history-loving dreams on your next visit to this wonderful city.
To begin, although some may comment on the cliché of it, you would be doing yourself a disservice by missing out on Paris’s amazing Museum of Sights, the landmark museum of the city. It is none other than the Louvre. The Louvre is France’s national art museum and undoubtedly one of the most famous museums in the world. Located within the city’s central First arrondissement, the Louvre is home to some of the most influential art pieces in all of history: the Mona Lisa by Leonarda Da Vinci, the Venus de Milo by Alexandros of Antioch, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, Diane of Versailles, and Delacroix’s iconic Liberty Leading the People (and that’s just to name a few). I myself have found my trips to the Louvre, far more than I can count on one hand, to be transformative experiences. I always leave feeling just a bit more well versed in the world of art and culture itself.
View inside the Musee d’Orsay
Henri-Jean Guillaume Martin, Serenity, the Sacred Wood, 1899, oil on canvas, Musee d’Orsay, Paris
Next, you will need to find your way along the left bank of the Seine to the site of the former Gare d’Orsay, a Beaux Arts railway station, now the Musee d’Orsay, another prominent and widely celebrated Museum of Paris. Under this towering glass ceiling you will feel yourself transported through the decades, back to a simpler time filled with the very best moments of art history. This beautiful museum holds a rich collection filled with artists' timeless pieces. Its permanent collection includes works by artists such as Edgar Degas, Henri le Secq, and Pierre Bonnard. Compared to the Louvre, the Musee d’Orsay offers a much more compact and intimate collection. The result is a very personal experience, you have the time to truly absorb the art and submerge yourself in the works you find most compelling. It also usually tends to be somewhat less filled to the brim with people, making for a much more enjoyable experience overall.
I have saved for my final recommendation my favourite spot of all, perfect for people watching as well as art viewing. That is the Musée de l’Orangerie. Containing works of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artists, this museum is located in the west corner of the Tuileries gardens, giving you the most perfect spot to reflect on your recent art excursion while enjoying a Parisian croissant and latte. This museum is most famously known as the permanent home of the eight large water lily murals painted by none other than Claude Monet. The museum is also home to works by Henri Matisse and Paul Cézanne, who happen to be two of my personal favorites to view.
Claude Monet, The Water Lilies – The Clouds, 1920–1926, oil on canvas, Musée de l'Orangerie, Paris
I hope that you will take this guide with you for your next travel excursion to my most favourite city in the world, the wonderful and magnificent and lovely Paris. I have crafted this itinerary of museums with the utmost care and precision, all based on my personal experiences within each of these wonderful museums. With each visit to this beautiful city of art, my heart only expands with its love for the world of art history, for there is always more to learn, see, and enjoy.