Monday, November 5, 2018

Paris: Passion and Money -- What a Combo!

When you have a grand passion -- and enough money -- you can do some pretty remarkable things. Edouard Andre and his artist wife, Nelie Jacquemart, had both and they built their home to display their extensive art collection.


The result was a gift to the country of Musee Jacquemart-Andre, located on Boulevard Haussman. Edouard had married the artist who a decade before painted his portrait and together they traveled in search of masterpieces to fill their Parisian home.


The couple's home was given to the Institut de France as a museum following Nelie's death, filled with their personal collection of remarkable paintings and antiques. The ceilings were works of art in themselves.


And the murals decorating the walls were by noted artists. I'm thinking Titian or Tinteretto or some "T" guy, but I may be wrong on that (to be honest, we saw so much art that after awhile it became blurry!


Just entering the main room is a bit awe-inspiring with its gold leaf.


This is part of the State Apartments, designed to host their formal receptions. Pretty fancy! And quite the selection of tapestries!


Rick was fond of the music room. There is a balcony for the musicians all around the top of it. And silk wallpaper and paintings.


Same room, looking down from the musician's gallery.


My favorite area was the Winter Garden, which is quite like a conservatory with a spiral staircase leading to a gallery above.


I couldn't help but notice this woman.


She was sketching one of the sculptures in the Winter Garden, seemingly oblivious to the crowds around her.


 Here we are overlooking the Winter Garden.


There is quite a sculpture gallery -- I particularly liked the Della Robbia piece, but it also included works by Donatello and others.


Works on religious these were featured in the Florentine Gallery, along with works by Botticelli, among others. The couple also loved Venetian artists and many of their works are featured here as well.


Finally, we got to see the couple's private apartments, which while somewhat more intimate were still a little over the top! At least for me!


Also featured during our visit was an exhibition of work by Caravagio.


I can't say it wowed me, because for the most part, much it was rather gruesome and I didn't take pix of those. I rather liked this one, though.


But you have to admire his remarkable technique.


I certainly admire the elegance of the Jacquemart-Andre family ...


...and beautiful art collected lovingly and displayed well is indeed well worth seeing.


This was the only room (apart from the Winter Garden) that resonated with me personally. Could I live in this space?


Not on a bet.


Fortunately, not a choice I'll have to make! But it's lovely to visit!


After all that, it was time for crepes!


After all, this sightseeing stuff gets tiring!

41 comments:

Valerie-Jael said...

Oh my, what an absolute dream! I would love to visit there and see it all for myself, but the photos are a great alternative. Love the elegant lady sketching. Thanks for sharing, hugs, Valerie

Sandra Cox said...

This place is breathtaking, but I'm with you, live there....uh no.

Susan Kane said...

That is overwhelming in its beauty. Oh my.

I echo Sandra. Just one room would be enough, maybe the kitchen.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

I doubt that most of us could live there, but then again we will never get the chance!

Joanne Huffman said...

If I go back to Paris, I will have to visit this. I love the idea of filling up my house with art; not this forma, though.

NanaDiana said...

Wow, Jeanie! WHAT a grand place to visit. Can you IMAGINE the lives that were lived under that roof? I imagine it bustled with friends and family while they were alive.

The paintings and artwork are quite amazing. I'm with you-I don't have much appreciation for the art of the naked child. There is just something a bit voyeuristic I think...and I think about that child posing nude day after day for the artist-although he is a fantastic artist. Today that would be considered child porn and hidden away, I bet.

Can't wait to see more of what you see. xo Diana

Linda @ A La Carte said...

What a spectacular place to visit! Amazing art and the 'home' is a work of art also. I would add this to my list if I ever get back to Paris.

Misadventures of Widowhood said...

I wouldn't want to live with that art but it sure is impressive, especially knowing it was all one couple's collection at one time. Thanks for sharing such perfection.

Misadventures of Widowhood said...

I wouldn't want to live with that art but it sure is impressive, especially know it was all one couple's collection. Thanks for sharing such perfection.

Joyful said...

Absolutely stunning. The paintings are divine.

Lilbitbrit said...

Looks like an amazing place.

William Kendall said...

An exquisitely beautiful collection! Some years ago we had an exhibit here of Caravaggios. His mix of shadow and light is captivating.

Sally Wessely said...

Wow! What a place. I too could not be comfortable living there, but I don’t have to make that choice either. The staircase was incredible.

Lunch looked good.

Pamela said...

Ooh! Gorgeous, but I wouldn't care to live there!

Arti said...

Wow, really appreciate your 'blurry' views. What a magnificent museum! A must-see for me if I ever visit Paris again. I like how you share not only the exhibits but your observations like that woman drawing the sculpture. Just wonderful capture on your part. Just thinking, don't you wish you've had gotten your drawing pad and pencils with you to join her? :)

Stacey said...

Oh my goodness, so much beauty! Even the lady who was sketching is beautiful.

Barb said...

You're a great tour guide, Jeanie. Think of collecting all those masterpieces. I can't even imagine! I love the photos.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

You certainly saw some incredible art and beautiful furniture. I'd hate to have to dust everything and would NEVER even consider living there. Beautiful photos, though.

Iris Flavia said...

Ohhhh. That Lion melts my heart!
Just like our Henry who died out of grief of his human Duke Henry´s death.
Beautiful.
And that ceiling!
A "salon de musique", kinda, will be up in my place tomorrow, too.
Love the pic of the scetching woman. One day... And that garden is just so beautiful, too!
Yum. Salty-like crepes? Yum! Hungry now! And I have real French Brie! :-)

BeachGypsy said...

Wow!--so many beautiful things! Love the picture of you and Rick up on the balcony! How long did it take to tour it all? I love the winter garden place, so pretty! and oh my gosh, THOSE CEILINGS!!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Jeanie, What a grand place to visit. The artwork is beautiful. Nice photo of you and Rick. Lovely collection of photos. Thanks for sharing your visit. Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day and the week ahead.

Pam Richardson said...

Jeanie, what a fabulous museum and the art is truly stunning, to say the least. I am amazed that a couple could amass such a large collection of masterpices in their lifetime. Thanks for taking me along.

Tracy said...

WOW... such grandeur and opulence! Is there such thing as too much... or too much gold?! ;) So beautiful... And how wonderful that woman stopping to make a sketch! Ooo... the religious works in the Florentine Gallery! Caravagio wasn't afraid of topic to expression in paint, was he?! Like you, I find most of them a bit tough to view, but then I think they're mean to be... still can't deny his talent! Like you, I couldn't live with so much STUFF...and grandeur! Bumpkin and Hobbit, I be... ;) Speaking of stuff... What was your crepe stuffed with?! ((HUGS))

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

I often find myself overwhelmed by museums and art galleries filled to overflowing with beautiful objects. Gorgous!

La Table De Nana said...

I ahd read about this..thanks for taking us on your tour.
Unimaginable wealth and posessions n'est-ce-pas?
Hard to fathom such wealth..i.e. Bezos..Gates..Buffet..
to name a few.
Fantastic art collection.
I love the lady in pink sketching.Love:)
As always you both radiate joy:)!

shoreacres said...

I was especially interested to see the glass chamber set. I've never seen one before. I'd assumed they always were ceramic, but that clearly isn't the case.

Tristan Robin said...

THANK YOU so much for this intriguing peek at this exquisite spot! I didn't even KNOW about it. It's definitely on the list for our next visit! What a marvelous and enchanting world to live in. sigh. There but for six billion dollars go I.

Welcome home!

Pom Pom said...

Hi sweet Jeanie! Oh, the crepes. YUM! I love all the red in the grand home!

Sami said...

Exquisite place with so much art, but I agree with you as I too wouldn't like living there.
I liked the winter garden :)

Sandra Cox said...

You may have mentioned this but what year was that house built in?

Red Rose Alley said...

What a grand Parisian home, Jeanie. So much to look at, and the rooms are decorated so nicely. The picture of Mary and Jesus is beautiful. Wow, look at that stairway, so elegant! The posts look like marble. When the girls visited Paris, they loved the crepes, and Nel still makes them whenever she gets a chance. I got to see so many things today - thanks for taking me along on your trip. : )

~Sheri

My name is Erika. said...

I have not heard of this museum but it looks fantastic. I can't image living in this style, but it would be grand to have enough money to spend part of my life traveling around to buy masterpieces. I would be happy to just buy art I like and have enough wall space to put it out on display. (grin). I do like finding these little gems because they speak so much of not only Paris but of a time in its history. Thanks for sharing Jeanie. Hugs-Erika

Running on empty said...

Very lovely, Jeanie.

Cath

AnnMarie aka Vintage Junkie aka NaNa said...

Too fancy for me but pretty all the same. It must have been great seeing it in person....all that silk and gold gilt everywhere!

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

Jeanie, what beauty and what a treat to see it all. I love the crepes, maybe I could afford those!..Happy Tuesday..xxoJudy

Marie Rayner said...

What a wonderful place to visit, so filled with treasures. But like you, I find them lovely to look at but do not think I could live with them! Europe is filled with beautiful historical things and I never stop marveling at them. Crepes, what a wonderful end to a beautiful day! xoxo

Rita C at Panoply said...

Thank you for taking us along to both this opulent museum/dwelling and the museum (most recent post). It is a real treat to be able to go along virtually.

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

Wow, what an opulent home! I love that it's been turned into a museum but I can't imagine living there. I would feel like I was living in a museum, not a cozy home! But to each their own, I guess! This museum reminds me of a museum we went to in Philadelphia that showcased a couple's collection of art. The collection is displayed in an actual museum instead of a home, but it was crazy to think that one couple owned all these pieces of art! Insane.

The French Hutch said...

I’m making notes from your trip. This is a most interesting and beautiful home and art collection. One I would love to see and my husband loves all Caravaggio! Thanks for this lovely tour.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Fantastic! What a house/museum! I've always loved Caravagio's use of light and shadow.

Calypso In The Country said...

What an incredible place to visit...yes, the things money can buy! Thanks for linking up to Take Me Away!
Shelley

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