A Paris Visit in 2018

This Visit Happened & Photos Taken During August 15-18 2018

Entrance to the Louvre Museum
Passing the glass Pyramide entrance of the Louvre Museum – Paris

Although I pass through the inner compound of the Louvre Museum, I am on my way to nearby Musée de l’Orangerie to view the exquisite collection of Claude Monet’s famous Nymphéas paintings, his Waterlily panels on which he spent three decades of his life, from 1890 until his death in 1926. If you want to understand Impressionism, it’s him.

Nymphéas – Waterlilies – detail – by Claude Monet – Musée de l’Orangerie
a close look
Getting a closer look at Claude Monet’s Waterlilies – Musée de l’Orangerie
Les Nuages – The Clouds – detail – by Claude Monet – Musée de l’Orangerie
Visitors at the Galleries of Nymphéas by Claude Monet – Musée de l’Orangerie

Viewing Monet’s Nymphéas is such an enrichment that I have a hard time to finally leave the museum but do so with deep contentment. An impressionist painter who experimented so much in his life to get it right and then offered it all to the state as a WWI symbol of peace, in 1918. They are meditative paintings revealing patience, depth and delicacy.

Nymphéas – detail – by Claude Monet – Musée de l’Orangerie
Nymphéas – detail – by Claude Monet – Musée de l’Orangerie
Water Lilies – detail – by Claude Monet – Musée de l’Orangerie
Admiration for Claude Monet’s Nymphéas – Musée de l’Orangerie

Paris is so rich in culture that it can be difficult to prioritise what to see and visit. Of course to see the Eiffel Tower is a fulfilment in itself as it is not just a tower, it stands for boldness, progress, hope and inspiration, a solid anchor in the middle of one of the world’s most admired cities.

Watching the Eiffel Tower – Paris
The Eiffel Tower of Paris
Along the river Seine – Paris
Waiting to board a touring boat – Paris

Anne, a friend living near Paris and who knows my interest in Asian art suggests to visit the Guimet Museum, Guimet National Museum of Asian Arts, which holds the largest collections of ancient Asian art outside Asia. I am intrigued how artists make an effort to depict the inner essence of man in a statue, sometimes with depth and delicacy.

Bodhisattva – Mathura Uttar Pradesh India 11th Century – Guimet Museum
Head of Buddha – Mathura Uttar Pradesh India Year 435 – Guimet Museum
Statues of Silence – India – 11th Century – Guimet Museum
Tibetan figure – Guimet Museum – Paris

Museums can inspire, reminding you of the profound abilities of the human being to express more than words can do. Many books are written on philosophy but sometimes one image of a painting or statue or other media can depict that what goes beyond words.

Avenue de New York – Paris
Rue Pernety – Fruits Vegetables & Juices – Paris
Gare de Lyon – Lyon Train Station – Paris

All Photos Copyright © 2019-2024 August Timmermans – All Rights Reserved