I do really love some of the larger Parisian galleries like the Musée d’Orsay, and the Louvre, but some of my most favourite ones are much smaller. The Rodin museum is a long time favourite of mine. I like it best when it’s warm enough to be able to stroll in the gardens there. It has that wonderful combination of Nature and Art which really encourages you to take your time and savour it.
On my last trip to Paris I found another smaller gallery, the Musée Jacquemart André. Look at the main foyer –
And the ceilings…..
I went there to see an exhibition of portraits of the Medici from Florence, but the building itself entranced me.
Here’s one of the many things which caught my eye and surprised me, a wall covered with a tapestry which has had a door cut into it –
Maybe for the owners of this gallery, back when it was a private house, bought and used tapestries the way people use wallpaper nowadays, but they seem like such works of art to me that I was shocked to see a door cut into it. Then when I looked a little closer I noticed the door-handle!
I’m not sure what I think about that!
What do you think? Does this make art more utilitarian? Does it make the everyday practical more beautiful?
Whatever you think about it I think it’s a great example of the extraordinary in the ordinary….”l’émerveillement du quotidien”.
Heroes Not Zombies 
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