Paris' Musée de l'Orangerie...

Parisian Niche
May 21
3 min read

While we are still in out "Monet State of Mind," after visits to Giverny and the Musée Marmottan Monet let's take a P'Niche peek at today's gem - all the time hiding in plain sight - le Musée de l'Orangerie....

We find ourselves today in central Paris - specifically, the scenic Tuileries Gardens. More on that gorgeous jardin soon, so we hope you will subscribe to join us back here in the Parisian Niche...

Originally opened in 1927, the Musée de l'Orangerie was initially designed to shelter orange trees during winter - hence the cheeky and original name, obvi!

Even before becoming an official museum, it was in 1918, when Monet expressed his desire for his grand Water Lilies series to be displayed in a way that enveloped viewers in nature's beauty, the way he felt he experienced it himself. Stretching nearly 91 meters in length, these murals embody Monet's artistic journey and vision.

The museum's structure, with its spacious, naturally-lit galleries, perfectly aligns with this vision and even today, viewers can enjoy it the way Monet himself wished.

While the paintings were offered to the French State personally by Monet, a symbol of peace following the Armistice (11/11/18), the works were installed permanently in 1927, briefly after the passing of the great Impressionist master.

And while the museum serves as a the "Sistine Chapel of Impressionism" according to André Masson, the Orangerie features works from formidable artists like Renoir, Cezanne, and Matisse.

Each painting contributes to the evolving narrative of 20th-century art, turning a visit here into a unique journey through the Impressionist movement.

Throughout the year, the Musée de l'Orangerie hosts temporary exhibitions that explore various themes.

These exhibitions often feature lesser-known artists or specific artistic movements, giving the museum a dynamic and evolving narrative.

In addition to the Impressionists, the Orangerie's permanent collection also features influential modern artists like Amedeo Modigliani and Pablo Picasso. Modigliani’s elongated forms and Picasso’s innovative styles provide a stunning insight into the art evolution during this pivotal period.

It's all quite a lot to take in!

Listen, I hear what you are saying - look out the window and you see "Big Bro - le Louvre" across the garden and I love le Louvre - I really and truly do!

But unlike le Louvre, l'Orangerie maintains an intimate atmosphere. The peaceful setting encourages you to take your time, allowing for true appreciation of each piece, fully absorbing the emotions and messages each piece conveys.

Aha! I hear you say...

But what about the very nearby Jeu de Paume, the Musée d'Orsay, Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Hôtel de la Marine, Petit Palais, Grand Palais, and soooooo many more?

Well P'Nicher, you are sensing rightly, a series on all of these (and more) will follow as we extend these posts. Get in non-loser, we're going museum hopping. Stay tuned!