August 27, 2007

Gustave Moreau Museum


Moving around in the same area where I have already presented the Museum of the Romantics and the Square d’Orléans, I also visited the Gustave Moreau museum (14, rue de la Rochefoucauld, Paris 9). This is an amazing small museum, which was actually more ore less created by the artist himself, preparing space for his works to be presented in his home. The museum was opened to public five years after his death.

Gustave Moreau (1826-98), was a symbolist painter and a precursor to other famous symbolist painters like Gustav Klimt and Eduard Munch. He is also considered to be a forerunner for later surrealistic painters (Dali, Magritte…). Henri Matisse was one of Moreau’s pupils. Oscar Wilde, Marcel Proust, André Breton among others admired his works (and so do I).

In the museum you can find hundreds of paintings and if you look behind curtains (for light protection) you can also find thousands of drawings, pre studies, aquarelles… His paintings can be found at the Louvre (Paris), National Gallery (London), MMA (NYC)…, but the fact that he has his own museum is perhaps explaining that he may be considered to be underrepresented in many of the greatest museums.

What also is interesting to see at the Paris Moreau museum are the stairs between the two exhibition levels and, on the lower floor, his office, dining room, sleeping room… all preserved as they were.




13 comments:

Azer Mantessa said...

it is small but contentful.

the stair is interesting as i notice the angle is somewhat a phi ratio - based on fibonacci series so i wonder was gustav a mathematician too.

very nice house.

Annie said...

I've not been introduced to Moreau before. But what a grand introduction you made today. I shall have to watch for his work in future. Thanks, Peter.

Kate said...

Love the spiral staircase. Small museums often are real gems and should not be missed. Thanks for the tour.

Keshi said...

I adore that spiral staircase!

Keshi.

Shionge said...

If I have more time in Paris next time I would certainly visit this place too, tks.

lyliane six said...

Je ne connaissais pas ce peintre, il a fait beaucoup de tableaux religieux.Bonne idée de faire son musée dans sa propre maison.Magnifique escalier mais qui qui a dû donner pas mal de problèmes en vieillissant pour le monter!!.

Chuckeroon said...

I love these museums that include the old living quarters....noticing always that there is never any room for the computer!!

black feline said...

i like the smallness..but very rich in contents..I can literally smell history...

Heather said...

Love the spiral staircase and especially your view from the top looking down. C'est magnifique!

Anonymous said...

OMG, this place is fantastic, and I never had heard of it. The small museums are the nicest in Paris, and I'll have to see this one. I think I would just want to sit for a long time, but I probably wouldn't be able to! Wow.

I know what you mean about the focus in my spider web shot. But I had dozens, many of which were less focused on different parts. The one you commented on really only has one in focus. Trial and error!

Anonymous said...

c'est vrai que ce peintre mériterait une rétrospective ou du moins d'être plus souvent mis à l'honneur. sais tu que les gens qui s'appellent Moreau ou Morin sont des descendants des Maures cad des arabes qui sont remontés jusqu'à Poitiers ?

Ming the Merciless said...

Amazing photos! I love the last one of the spiral staircase.

Peter said...

I thank you all for your different comments! I clearly feel that the artist and his museum should be given more attention! Already the staircase is actually worth the visit (5 €).