Musée d’Orsay
They like Vincent at the Musée d’Orsay. I mean, I suppose he’s a popular guy, but wow. They’ve got banners, this big sign, and he gets a whole room to himself! Hot.
Did I mention that it’s a beautiful museum too? A converted train station, actually.
Definitely my favorite museum in Paris.
Now! To the paintings! What’s great is that these are all from the last two years in his life, and every one is stellar. I’m going to pick my favorites (of the favorites!) but I recommend clicking on any photo here to see more from my visit to this beautiful room at the Musée d’Orsay.
Church at Auvers, 1890.
I feel quite blessed that I actually was able to capture the glow of this sky. Also, I got to see this church in person the following day (wow, time is crazy) and it is both this beautiful, and this unique. Or I suppose you might say strange…?
This may be my favorite figure in any landscape painting of his ever. Yes, inside her bonnet is exposed canvas. Exquisite!
Noon: Rest from Work (after Millet), 1889-1890.
My favorite of all of Vincent’s copies. While in the asylum, he did copies of paintings he especially loved and admired based on black and white etchings in books (improvising color onto them), and Millet was one of his favorite painters. Here’s the original:
L’Arlesienne (Madame Ginoux), 1888.
This is just a fabulous portrait.
Love the look on her face. That background color isn’t half-bad either. :)
Self-Portrait, 1889.
Here we go: Vincent’s last self-portrait. Seeing it in person, you can see the precision of the strokes — this painting is truly a masterpiece.
It took steady control and immense concentration to execute this… and on top of that, how evocative! How deep and expressive!
I stood in that museum staring into these eyes until at long last, the guards personally told me it was time to leave. That’s generally how I dealt with the museum hours – I relished every second, every brush stroke. Maybe it was a bit annoying to the guards, but hey, it’s not like I was the only one.
And anyway, who knows when I will be able to gaze into these eyes – into you, Vincent – again…
Wow I love the close ups and how much more you can appreciate his work. Thank you Teresita!!
fantastic post. it was such a beautiful day outside in paris, and i know for a FACT that the best weather ever could not have topped your experience in that museum that day. thank you so much for sharing all of this with us.