For centuries, artists have been drawn to Paris. Some enrolled at its grand institutions, such as the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, while others were drawn to the City of Lights for its reputation as a cultural capital, an essential component of worldly education. Paris was and is a place to meet fellow artists, visit the great museums, and be inspired by its magnificent gardens, monuments, and architecture.
Voyage À Paris explores a variety of interpretations of the city by over a dozen artists. The iconic Eiffel Tower inspired Gilles Gorriti and Le Pho. Le Pho moved to Paris from Vietnam and embraced his adopted city, becoming a permanent resident and establishing a successful career. In Bouquet Devant la Fenetre, Le Pho presents the viewer with a lush bouquet before an open window through which we view the Eiffel Tower, an instantly recognizable monument situating the scene in Paris.
The Seine was another subject that captivated artists. As the picturesque river winds through the city, it passes under architecturally impressive bridges, one of the most majestic of which is Le Pont Alexander III, depicted by Jean Dufy. In Dufy’s painting, the Beaux-Arts style bridge is shown from the Champs-Elysées quarter looking towards that of Invalides. The palette is rendered in bright jewel-like colors, suggesting the sun's brilliance on the water and landscape. By contrast, La Seine a Paris by Constantine Kluge offers a different interpretation. Here, the Seine is shown bathed in the soft light of the setting sun. The mood is tranquil and contemplative -- a Paris of quiet beauty.
Nature, too, was the inspiration for many artists. Paris is well recognized for its superb gardens and parks, attracting painters wishing to experience and portray the sublime garden architecture and plantings. In Morning in the Parc Monceau, Charles Neal’s Impressionist-style painting focuses on the bountiful profusions of blossoming flowers and the inviting garden pathways. The gardens were also meeting places for people to gather, as shown in Neal’s vibrant painting Café Scene and Jardin des Tuileries, Paris.
Paris is a vibrant nexus with much to offer artists in terms of subject matter and ambiance. In Voyage À Paris, the viewer can experience some of the unique magic that continues to draw a new generation of artists to Paris.
