Today was the last day for our museum pass so we were up and out early. Eager to see what our guide book called “The best general collection of Impressionism anywhere,” we headed across the river to The Musée d'Orsay. This labyrinth of interconnecting galleries houses an amazing array of artwork – a few pieces familiar from long ago art classes.
Later, after a short coffee break at a nearby sidewalk cafe, we crossed back over the river to the Musée de l'Orangerie, home to Monet's Water Lilies collection. We had no idea what we were walking into.
Altogether, there are eight mammoth studies of the pond at Monet's home in Giverny. The museum created two specially designed oval rooms, each with four paintings, to best display the artwork. The effect is jaw-dropping.
Monet worked obsessively on these paintings for 12 years. Sadly, he did not live to see them installed in the museum, but fortunately for us, his work lives on.
carryoncouple 
Leave a comment