The Musee d'Orsay was not on my "must visit" list, but it may have been my favorite of the museums we visited in Paris.  

From the Balzer Designs Blog: Musee d'Orsay: Part One
From the Balzer Designs Blog: Musee d'Orsay: Part One
From the Balzer Designs Blog: Musee d'Orsay: Part One
From the Balzer Designs Blog: Musee d'Orsay: Part One
From the Balzer Designs Blog: Musee d'Orsay: Part One
From the Balzer Designs Blog: Musee d'Orsay: Part One

I have seen lots and lots of Cézanne landscapes and still lifes, but I have not seen a lot of his portraiture and I loooove it!  See if you agree:
 
From the Balzer Designs Blog: Musee d'Orsay: Part One
And, of course, his landscapes and still lifes (and yes, I looked it up: the plural of "still life" is still lifes not still lives).

From the Balzer Designs Blog: Musee d'Orsay: Part One From the Balzer Designs Blog: Musee d'Orsay: Part One
From the Balzer Designs Blog: Musee d'Orsay: Part One
From the Balzer Designs Blog: Musee d'Orsay: Part One
I have always looooved Gaugin.  Not as a human being, because there are some issues there.  But, as a painter.  Swoon.  I was quite familiar with his paintings from his time in Tahiti…

From the Balzer Designs Blog: Musee d'Orsay: Part One
…but this exhibit contained an enormous number of his pastels of the French countryside.  I had never seen them.

From the Balzer Designs Blog: Musee d'Orsay: Part One

They were displayed alongside the most impressive collection of van Gogh's I've ever been privileged to see in real life.  And the similarities in the two painter's styles is striking.

From the Balzer Designs Blog: Musee d'Orsay: Part Two
From the Balzer Designs Blog: Musee d'Orsay: Part Two
From the Balzer Designs Blog: Musee d'Orsay: Part Two
From the Balzer Designs Blog: Musee d'Orsay: Part Two
From the Balzer Designs Blog: Musee d'Orsay: Part Two
Sigh.  Every last painting so divine.  I just want to dive into the colors and rub my hands all over that beautiful textured paint.  Unappreciated in his lifetime, vanGogh's genius inspires me in so many ways.  I love his backgrounds, his colors, his transitions, his composition…I love it all!

See anything you like?  I'd love to know what's inspiring you!

I'll be back tomorrow with more from the Musee d'Orsay!

Thanks for stopping by!

Julie Fei-Fan Balzer

Based outside of Boston, Julie Fei-Fan Balzer is a painter, printmaker, and collage artist who constructs vibrant compositions. Her artwork investigates the interplay of identity and perception, inviting viewers to take a longer look. Julie works in layers, both physically and metaphorically, exploring what is visible and what is concealed. Passionate about connecting with and inspiring other artists, she shares her expertise through in-person workshops and her online classroom at MyArtPractice.com. Julie's achievements include high-profile clients, multiple publications - including her book, “Carve Stamp Play” - and exhibits in New York City and throughout Massachusetts. She is a graduate of Brown University.

56 thoughts on “Musee d’Orsay: Part One

  • I loved the mussee d’orsay, this was a wonderful visit back there. I loved the van Gogh paintings. The painting that surprised me the most was Whistler’s mother. In my minds eye I envisioned that to be a small painting, but it’s lifesize, or close to it. In contrast ,I always thought that the Mona Lisa was a much larger painting. Paris is incredible.

    Reply
  • I loved the mussee d’orsay, this was a wonderful visit back there. I loved the van Gogh paintings. The painting that surprised me the most was Whistler’s mother. In my minds eye I envisioned that to be a small painting, but it’s lifesize, or close to it. In contrast ,I always thought that the Mona Lisa was a much larger painting. Paris is incredible.

    Reply
  • I loved the mussee d’orsay, this was a wonderful visit back there. I loved the van Gogh paintings. The painting that surprised me the most was Whistler’s mother. In my minds eye I envisioned that to be a small painting, but it’s lifesize, or close to it. In contrast ,I always thought that the Mona Lisa was a much larger painting. Paris is incredible.

    Reply
  • I loved the mussee d’orsay, this was a wonderful visit back there. I loved the van Gogh paintings. The painting that surprised me the most was Whistler’s mother. In my minds eye I envisioned that to be a small painting, but it’s lifesize, or close to it. In contrast ,I always thought that the Mona Lisa was a much larger painting. Paris is incredible.

    Reply
  • I loved the mussee d’orsay, this was a wonderful visit back there. I loved the van Gogh paintings. The painting that surprised me the most was Whistler’s mother. In my minds eye I envisioned that to be a small painting, but it’s lifesize, or close to it. In contrast ,I always thought that the Mona Lisa was a much larger painting. Paris is incredible.

    Reply
  • I loved the mussee d’orsay, this was a wonderful visit back there. I loved the van Gogh paintings. The painting that surprised me the most was Whistler’s mother. In my minds eye I envisioned that to be a small painting, but it’s lifesize, or close to it. In contrast ,I always thought that the Mona Lisa was a much larger painting. Paris is incredible.

    Reply
  • I loved the mussee d’orsay, this was a wonderful visit back there. I loved the van Gogh paintings. The painting that surprised me the most was Whistler’s mother. In my minds eye I envisioned that to be a small painting, but it’s lifesize, or close to it. In contrast ,I always thought that the Mona Lisa was a much larger painting. Paris is incredible.

    Reply
  • Dear Julie,
    Love the Van Gogh pictures. My first museum experience was in the 60’s,my school took us to the Guggenheim Museum. I was mesmerized by the Van Gogh on display and spent my time going back to it. All these years later it’s the only picture I remember from that day,other than the Calder mobile. I love his use of blue and yellow it just speaks to me.

    Reply
  • Dear Julie,
    Love the Van Gogh pictures. My first museum experience was in the 60’s,my school took us to the Guggenheim Museum. I was mesmerized by the Van Gogh on display and spent my time going back to it. All these years later it’s the only picture I remember from that day,other than the Calder mobile. I love his use of blue and yellow it just speaks to me.

    Reply
  • Dear Julie,
    Love the Van Gogh pictures. My first museum experience was in the 60’s,my school took us to the Guggenheim Museum. I was mesmerized by the Van Gogh on display and spent my time going back to it. All these years later it’s the only picture I remember from that day,other than the Calder mobile. I love his use of blue and yellow it just speaks to me.

    Reply
  • Dear Julie,
    Love the Van Gogh pictures. My first museum experience was in the 60’s,my school took us to the Guggenheim Museum. I was mesmerized by the Van Gogh on display and spent my time going back to it. All these years later it’s the only picture I remember from that day,other than the Calder mobile. I love his use of blue and yellow it just speaks to me.

    Reply
  • Dear Julie,
    Love the Van Gogh pictures. My first museum experience was in the 60’s,my school took us to the Guggenheim Museum. I was mesmerized by the Van Gogh on display and spent my time going back to it. All these years later it’s the only picture I remember from that day,other than the Calder mobile. I love his use of blue and yellow it just speaks to me.

    Reply
  • Dear Julie,
    Love the Van Gogh pictures. My first museum experience was in the 60’s,my school took us to the Guggenheim Museum. I was mesmerized by the Van Gogh on display and spent my time going back to it. All these years later it’s the only picture I remember from that day,other than the Calder mobile. I love his use of blue and yellow it just speaks to me.

    Reply
  • Dear Julie,
    Love the Van Gogh pictures. My first museum experience was in the 60’s,my school took us to the Guggenheim Museum. I was mesmerized by the Van Gogh on display and spent my time going back to it. All these years later it’s the only picture I remember from that day,other than the Calder mobile. I love his use of blue and yellow it just speaks to me.

    Reply
  • Cezanne, Gauguin, Van Gogh – you have hit my all-time favourites list. The only one missing is Matisse. I am hoping there will be some goldfish in Part 2. I now MUST visit Paris.

    Reply
  • Cezanne, Gauguin, Van Gogh – you have hit my all-time favourites list. The only one missing is Matisse. I am hoping there will be some goldfish in Part 2. I now MUST visit Paris.

    Reply
  • Cezanne, Gauguin, Van Gogh – you have hit my all-time favourites list. The only one missing is Matisse. I am hoping there will be some goldfish in Part 2. I now MUST visit Paris.

    Reply
  • Cezanne, Gauguin, Van Gogh – you have hit my all-time favourites list. The only one missing is Matisse. I am hoping there will be some goldfish in Part 2. I now MUST visit Paris.

    Reply
  • Cezanne, Gauguin, Van Gogh – you have hit my all-time favourites list. The only one missing is Matisse. I am hoping there will be some goldfish in Part 2. I now MUST visit Paris.

    Reply
  • Cezanne, Gauguin, Van Gogh – you have hit my all-time favourites list. The only one missing is Matisse. I am hoping there will be some goldfish in Part 2. I now MUST visit Paris.

    Reply
  • Cezanne, Gauguin, Van Gogh – you have hit my all-time favourites list. The only one missing is Matisse. I am hoping there will be some goldfish in Part 2. I now MUST visit Paris.

    Reply
  • This museum is my favorite. It’s architectire alone is worth going to see. The fact that it is an old train station adds to its character. Your photos are excellent! That was no cell phone phone was it?

    Reply
  • This museum is my favorite. It’s architectire alone is worth going to see. The fact that it is an old train station adds to its character. Your photos are excellent! That was no cell phone phone was it?

    Reply
  • This museum is my favorite. It’s architectire alone is worth going to see. The fact that it is an old train station adds to its character. Your photos are excellent! That was no cell phone phone was it?

    Reply
  • This museum is my favorite. It’s architectire alone is worth going to see. The fact that it is an old train station adds to its character. Your photos are excellent! That was no cell phone phone was it?

    Reply
  • This museum is my favorite. It’s architectire alone is worth going to see. The fact that it is an old train station adds to its character. Your photos are excellent! That was no cell phone phone was it?

    Reply
  • This museum is my favorite. It’s architectire alone is worth going to see. The fact that it is an old train station adds to its character. Your photos are excellent! That was no cell phone phone was it?

    Reply
  • This museum is my favorite. It’s architectire alone is worth going to see. The fact that it is an old train station adds to its character. Your photos are excellent! That was no cell phone phone was it?

    Reply
  • I LOVE me some Van Gogh! I have got to go visit our niece, who lives in Paris!

    Reply
  • I LOVE me some Van Gogh! I have got to go visit our niece, who lives in Paris!

    Reply
  • I LOVE me some Van Gogh! I have got to go visit our niece, who lives in Paris!

    Reply
  • I LOVE me some Van Gogh! I have got to go visit our niece, who lives in Paris!

    Reply
  • I LOVE me some Van Gogh! I have got to go visit our niece, who lives in Paris!

    Reply
  • I LOVE me some Van Gogh! I have got to go visit our niece, who lives in Paris!

    Reply
  • I LOVE me some Van Gogh! I have got to go visit our niece, who lives in Paris!

    Reply
  • I love how you have made me pay extra attention to the details of the paintings rather than just the painting overall. Thank you for that, Julie! I never noticed that Van Gogh has alot of swirled lines and mark making in his work.

    Reply
  • I love how you have made me pay extra attention to the details of the paintings rather than just the painting overall. Thank you for that, Julie! I never noticed that Van Gogh has alot of swirled lines and mark making in his work.

    Reply
  • I love how you have made me pay extra attention to the details of the paintings rather than just the painting overall. Thank you for that, Julie! I never noticed that Van Gogh has alot of swirled lines and mark making in his work.

    Reply
  • I love how you have made me pay extra attention to the details of the paintings rather than just the painting overall. Thank you for that, Julie! I never noticed that Van Gogh has alot of swirled lines and mark making in his work.

    Reply
  • I love how you have made me pay extra attention to the details of the paintings rather than just the painting overall. Thank you for that, Julie! I never noticed that Van Gogh has alot of swirled lines and mark making in his work.

    Reply
  • I love how you have made me pay extra attention to the details of the paintings rather than just the painting overall. Thank you for that, Julie! I never noticed that Van Gogh has alot of swirled lines and mark making in his work.

    Reply
  • I love how you have made me pay extra attention to the details of the paintings rather than just the painting overall. Thank you for that, Julie! I never noticed that Van Gogh has alot of swirled lines and mark making in his work.

    Reply
  • The thing that always gets me with impressionist-era paintings is how they painted everyday life. It makes me think I should depict what’s around me more.

    Reply
  • The thing that always gets me with impressionist-era paintings is how they painted everyday life. It makes me think I should depict what’s around me more.

    Reply
  • The thing that always gets me with impressionist-era paintings is how they painted everyday life. It makes me think I should depict what’s around me more.

    Reply
  • The thing that always gets me with impressionist-era paintings is how they painted everyday life. It makes me think I should depict what’s around me more.

    Reply
  • The thing that always gets me with impressionist-era paintings is how they painted everyday life. It makes me think I should depict what’s around me more.

    Reply
  • The thing that always gets me with impressionist-era paintings is how they painted everyday life. It makes me think I should depict what’s around me more.

    Reply
  • The thing that always gets me with impressionist-era paintings is how they painted everyday life. It makes me think I should depict what’s around me more.

    Reply

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