June 18
Dear Liza,
When the weather gets hot, we head for art museums! This strategy has kept us well and happy in every city we have been to. We learn something, too, so that’s always nice.
Today, our goal was the Fondation Bemberg, a five minute walk away, housed in a ‘hotel particulier’ (a mansion) built by Pierre d’ Assezat (1500-1581). Many years later, Georges Bemberg, (1915-2011) amassed an impressive art collection and needed a place to put it. The hotel particulier was in need of repair and financing.
And an art museum was born!
As is the case in most museums, the classical works are on the lower floors. So we passed “ A Party os Asses” ,
what looked like Pedro Pascal posing as Zeus,
and one of the few works by a woman, Elisabeth Louise Vigée-Le Brun,
before we got to the Impressionists and their friends on the third floor.
There, much to Auntie Bridgett’s delight, was an entire room full of Pierre Bonnard’s paintings… Thirty One in all. My favorite was called “En Bateau”, because I want to take a dachshund out in a rowboat. You can tell she is just waiting for someone to come row for her.
Bridgett has so many favorites she couldn’t decide, but she really loves this one, called “Le Moulin Rouge or Place Blanche.”
And Grandpa Nelson’s favorite piece is Mary Cassatt’s “Portrait of a Young Woman in a White Hat.”
And of course, the pointillists were there. I like them because they remind me of quilting, of making a whole out of smaller bits. Paul Signac‘s “Pink Almonds in Bloom” was my favorite today.
And now that your eyes are full, I’ll say good night and write you some more tomorrow.
Love,
Grandma Judy
Dear Liza 