The Banquet of Bread – portraits of artisanal bakers in Paris 

The Banquet of Bread – portraits of artisanal bakers in Paris. Bread is the ‘staff of life’ – or as some say, the ‘stuff of life’ – everywhere in the world. Bread and its bakers sustain life – le pain et ses boulangers soutiennent la vie.  There are many references to bread in James Joyce’s novels onContinue reading “The Banquet of Bread – portraits of artisanal bakers in Paris “

The Grilles of the Luxembourg Garden: photography exhibitions

The Grilles of the Luxembourg Garden: photography exhibitions. On the perimeter of the Luxembourg Garden – Jardin du Luxembourg – is a large black iron fence – railings topped with gold-coloured arrows. It is called the Grilles du Jardin du Luxembourg – the Grilles of the Luxembourg Garden. In 1865, during Louis Napoleon’s reconstruction of Paris, theContinue reading “The Grilles of the Luxembourg Garden: photography exhibitions”

French illustrator Antoine Meurant and the streets of Paris

French illustrator Antoine Meurant and the streets of Paris. In its gallery-restaurant Le Select in Montparnasse, Paris, there is a solo collection of illustrations by Antoine Meurant.  The collection of illustrations are everyday views of Paris and Parisian streets.  Antoine Meurant has also illustrated Le Select – the American Bar and Restaurant established in 1925Continue reading “French illustrator Antoine Meurant and the streets of Paris”

Victor Hugo: House, Museum, and Art Exhibition

Victor Hugo: House, Museum, and Art Exhibition. French author Victor Hugo, noted for his novels The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1831) and Les Miserables (1862), lived in Paris from 1832-1851, before his exile to Guernsey. His home is now a museum. The living quarters are on the second floor and the museum of his paintings and worksContinue reading “Victor Hugo: House, Museum, and Art Exhibition”

2021 Napoléon Season: bicentenary of his death

2021 Napoléon Season: bicentenary of his death. To commemorate the bicentenary–200 years–since the death of Napoléon Bonaparte (1769-1821), Emperor Napoléon I of France, there are a number of exhibitions and events under the banner of the “2021 Napoléon Season.” These include a large exhibition at La Villette in Paris on Napoleon from 14 April to 19 SeptemberContinue reading “2021 Napoléon Season: bicentenary of his death”

Cherry Blossoms – First-ever Damien Hirst Exhibition in France

Cherry Blossoms – First-ever Damien Hirst Exhibition in France. The Cartier Foundation in Paris has opened the first-ever exhibition in France of British artist Damien Hirst’s artworks. From 6 July 2021 to 2 January 2022, his Cherry Blossoms series will be a display – and described as ‘a celebration of colour within chaos.’  The exhibitionContinue reading “Cherry Blossoms – First-ever Damien Hirst Exhibition in France”

French Women Painters 1780-1830: The Birth of a Battle

French Women Painters 1780-1830: The Birth of a Battle. The Luxembourg Museum in Paris, France, is holding an exhibition called “Women Painters 1780-1830: The Birth of a Battle” until 4 July 2021. The women are all French painters. The exhibition covers half a century, from the pre-Revolutionary years to the Restoration, and features about 70Continue reading “French Women Painters 1780-1830: The Birth of a Battle”

Imaginary magazine The Parisianer captures the Chronicles of the Natural History Museum in Paris

Imaginary magazine The Parisianer captures the Chronicles of the Natural History Museum in Paris. People the world over have seen the cover of The New Yorker magazine in America, even if they have never opened a copy to read. The magazine, launched in 1925, focuses on the cultural life of New York, and each week anContinue reading “Imaginary magazine The Parisianer captures the Chronicles of the Natural History Museum in Paris”