Look at this photo carefully. I know you know this arch (called L'arc de Triomphe), but did you notice anything different? Look closer... Click in the photo to enlarge it... Bingo! The sculptures on each side have been replaced with photos. Why? Because they are currently being renovated - until June 15. The one on the right is the most famous one; it was sculpted by François Rude in 1792 and it bears the name "La Marseillaise".
I love that Paris keeps polishing up the relics, but I hate to see scaffolding on a favorite monument when I'm there to visit it. Can't they finish before I arrive? Should I send my schedule in advance?
ReplyDeleteWith the road so clear it looks as though the arc is floating in water.
LOL--they need to rename it L'arc de Trompe L'oeil for a while. =)
ReplyDeleteGood one, Linda!
ReplyDeleteWhy can't they allow visitors observe crafts people at work on the restoration instead at being forced to look at a fake giant poster? Absurd. Reality is much more interesting.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you can gain permission to document their work for your blog and share it with all of us! Just be prepared to protect your nose and camera from whatever dust they are producing.
Steve in hot and steamy Chicago
Now that is a perfect postcard photo! It's timeless.
ReplyDeleteMore renovation in Paris...
Today I have an appointment at the DeYoung Art Museum in San Francisco to attend "Birth of Impressionism: Masterpieces from the Musée d’Orsay" a show of 220 masterworks on loan from the collection of the Musée d’Orsay in Paris while that museum undergoes a partial closure for renovation in anticipation of its 25th anniversary in 2011. This is the first of two shows, the next being "VanGogh, Gauguin, Cezanne and Beyond: Post-Impressionist Masterpieces from the Musée d’Orsay" -- that show closing January 18, 2011.
The DeYoung will be the only museum in the world to host both of these exhibitions. A big Merci! Paris and Musée d’Orsay for trusting San Francisco with your valuable works of art. I know everyone at PDP can appreciate my excitement.
FYI: During its renovation/partial closure, the Musée d’Orsay also loaned Madrid and Nashville paintings. Here is a list of some of the paintings and where you can see them. http://www.musee-orsay.fr/en/events/exhibitions/extra-mural/exhibitions-more/article/de-manet-a-limpressionnisme-25138.html?tx_ttnews%5Btx_pids%5D=619&tx_ttnews%5Btt_cur%5D=25138&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=223&cHash=eb521566a2
Lois Simon, I am OVER THE MOON about these exhibitions! I'm going to just buy a fine arts membership, because I know I'll visit several times. Maybe I'll give you a holler and we can visit together one day.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, if you are interested in art nouveau posters (and have $30,000-50,000 to spare), visit Christopher Clark Fine Art on Geary Street. (www.clarkfineart.com) They have an unbelievable collection presently. Barry, one of the consultants, is rich with information.
At least it's prettier than what I saw in April. It makes the renovation prettier.
ReplyDeleteI hope they didn’t sell the originals to a gazillionaire collector and are now busy creating fiberglass substitutes.
ReplyDeleteHow were you able to get a clear picture of the front of the Arc de Triomphe traffic circle with no cars in it?
ReplyDeleteMy goodness that's clever. Here we'd have just a dirty great timber cover with a sign (graffiti'd of course) apologising for the inconvience.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'd love to know how you got a car free shot too :)
Linda is the clever one. I love the way renovations are so beautifully hidden in Paris. Such attention to detail . I love that Eric. Ahhh Paris. I can hardly hardly wait to get there and just bask in all that is Paris!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteV
I really have to comment on this.
ReplyDeleteIt is good to see that most European countries put up faithful reproductions of the original facade when a building is under renovation.
In my country, buildings undergoing renovation are always covered in ugly green scaffolding that 'disfigures' both the building and the scenery around it.
Given a choice, I would rather see a reproduction of the original artwork under renovation than green scaffolding! Imagine L'arc de Triomphe covered in that...
Yes, how DID you manage to manage to get all the cars to disappear (so you could lie down in the road again)? I too would rather look at these photos than at scaffolding. They do this in Venice too, when they're renovating; can't recall ever seeing it here in NYC.
ReplyDeleteAny idea of when they should be back?? I am supposed to be in Paris later this year with someone who will be making their first trip...maybe you can get us into the atelier where they are doing the work?? LOL!!
ReplyDelete@Lois...I went to the deYoung on Monday for a special showing and a delicious reception full of "French Fare"...of course I would rather go to the Musee d'Orsay, but you are right; we are very LUCKY to have all this magnificent art here in San Francisco for our enjoyment and edification!! Going back for more!! ;-)
When I am in Paris I love to sit on the bench across from it and be thankful I don't have a car in Paris:)
ReplyDeleteWell now, isn't that just the most clever way to renovate a city treasure while maintaining some eye-candy for residents and tourists alike. I'm shaking my head at the thoughtful genius of this.
ReplyDeleteIncredible empty place ! For sure before eight in the morning, a bank holiday or something like that.
ReplyDeleteLove your title. Well, to be honest, I do, for I saw it in person... Look much better without any work in progress but these photos to hide scaffholdings are a necessity in cities like Paris... And it may be easier too for those who do the job to be hidden.
Oh how interesting, Eric. What a great way to continue the beauty whilst repairing :)
ReplyDeleteQuand je tombe sur des bonnes idées comme ça, je me dis toujours "tiens qu'aurais-je fait à leur place" et de là, je me dis parfois, quand je ne suis pas sûre d'avoir la bonne idée, inversement, "que feraient-ils à ma place"?
ReplyDeleteC'était la petite pensée du moment...
What a nice blue.
Very creative, just like the art itself. And Eric, you continually surprise us with new and exciting things to see and do--now an Arc de Triomphe with no cars around?? How do you manage it?
ReplyDeleteLOL Linda! Great one!
@ ♥ Eiffel Tower Suzy ♥, Oui! please do give me a call when you plan to come into the city. It would be fabulous to see you again. BTW, In order to avoid over-crowding at the shows, you must buy the tickets prior to attending the shows. It's best to buy on-line if you can.
ReplyDelete@ tonton_flaneur, They do have good "French Fare" at the DeYoung Museum -- pastries in particular. :)
Commont on dit "facelift" en Francais? (-:
ReplyDeleteNancy L -- I believe it is called "le lifting." :~} The Academie would not be pleased!
ReplyDelete@Lois...It was a "catered affair" by McColl Company, for the "WhereSF" Magazine kick off for the exhibit..the food was delicious!! We had a private viewing, so no children or tourists...Lovely!!
ReplyDeleteYes "Un lifting", you're right Alexa.
ReplyDeleteNow about your question "How did I manage to photograph this without cars in the picture?
Simple I took it @ 8 am last Monday which was a holiday. It was empty!
Lois, I will get in touch with you when I go to the exhibit. It will be after the elementary school year ends though, sometime in June. Maybe we can get good ol' Louis LaVache to accompany us.
ReplyDeletece qui m'a frappée en premier c'est la quasi absence de voitures! ça c'est inhabituel pour la Place de l'Arc de triomphe ;-)
ReplyDelete@Eric: nice idea for a nice shot!!
ReplyDeleteGreat minds think alike... ;-)
oh, it's a good thing I continued reading. I was gonna say "heck yeah, I noticed something different: NO TRAFFIC!!!" ;)
ReplyDeleteUntil I zoomed in, my guess about the change was going to be, "blue skies". But, I stand updated!
ReplyDeletePaz :)