The Orsay is Okay

November 3: Though ensconced within the elaborate facade of a Victorian rail station, the Orsay Museum boasts an airy, white, light-filled interior that pulls it into the 21st century. Rick Steves' Paris guidebook (more info on the right) guided us through sculpture, painting and decorative works from the 19th and early 20th century, failing only at the Impressionist section, which had been moved and reorganized.

Exhibits

One of my favorite exhibits was a scale model of Paris in the 19th century, under a thick, transparent floor. I was afraid of crossing it for fear of breaking the floor, but Anthony walked across it immediately, as did some kids. It was perfectly safe but I kept off.

 

The model was guarded by yet another scale construction: a cutaway view of the Opera Garnier, so you could see everything from the elaborate lobby, to the seats, to the  stage mechanisms.

We were disappointed in not being able to find Renoir's masterpiece Bal du Moulin de la Galette, especially since we'd eaten at that very location recently. Apparently, it was on tour in Germany.

Not at the Orsay because it was on tour.

 Surprises

One pleasant surprise was a collection of Art Nouveau furniture including entire rooms such as this dining room by Alexandre Charpentier.

A temporary exhibit introduced me to the paintings of Jean-Léon Gérôme, who liked to paint and sculpt theatrical historical and fantasy scenes. If he'd been alive today, he might be working for a video game company or as a movie matte painter. His most famous work is Police Verso, which traveled all the way from the Phoenix Art Museum.