One Fine Afternoon.....
Thursday, 12. June 2008, 08:14:46
A small problem has arisen here. My “GO-TO-MY –PC” program that has worked flawless since I installed it a few months ago on my travel lappy seems to be acting an ass! 
I have been cut off three times while trying to post on a group blog, and have only now been able to reconnect to my home computer which I use for accessing my email and Opera to write these post. I have sent 3 PM’s that remain unanswered . The Internet connection at this Hotel is quite slow, and I have been warned away from the Internet cafes, lots of shady people with unusual looking electronics hooked to their laptops! So, I have been up most of the night, and after a bit of trouble shooting and way to much wine, I think I have it By George!! 
Wednesday Morning......
With much anticipation, we arose before daybreak for an early breakfast in bed.
Soon afterwards we were off to my primary destination, the one place I said I would go, but only if I could spend as much time as I wanted. And not until then!
One of the great pleasures of travel for me is to see the great architecture of Europe. The closest thing to a European city we have in America is the old parts of New Orleans, much of which were built in the 19th century. Since the day I first open a history book and saw the Great Pyramids of Egypt, I have been amazed at what man has been able to accomplish. The look of 18th & 19th century European architecture, beautiful preserved and restored, sometimes screaming of overindulgence and bordering on gaudiness, is part of the experience of Europe.
While still lit by lights and as the sky began to fill with the light of the morning sun, we stood and gazed at the Facade of an amazing Palace that has witnessed bloodshed, grandeur, spectacle and terror.
A place like no other in the world......
The Louvre:
Thanks to a tip from an Opera friend our wait to get in was short.
We decided to forgo a formal tour and see today the things we really wanted to see first and come back tomorrow for a tour. We headed straight to the Sully Wing and Greek Sculpture Hall, my companions main interest and then later the Egyptian antiquities. After lunch I decided it was time to find the one thing I came here for. A painting that captured my imagination as a boy in fifth grade art class and said I would see with my own eyes someday.
After a short walk back to the Denon wing, we stood in front a painting that is ….in my humble opinion, a masterpiece of prospective and light.
Guiseppe Castiglione’s
“The Salon Caree at the Musee du Louvre”.
An almost prefect Floor to ceiling, wall to wall 180 degree view of the gallery. As the sun from the skylight bathed the gallery in light and shadow the painting, a mere 2ft by 4ft , was done in 1861 over a period of 16 days. Castiglione captured not only the gallery, but the various visitors he found interesting as he worked. The painting is even more amazing when you realized he captured the actual paintings hanging in the gallery at that time and painted them at the exact angle as they appeared to him. The gallery ceiling, the massive picture frames, the visitors clothes, the woodwork, even the furniture is done in minute detail. The golds and blues remain vibrant and the picture is remarkable well persevered. I could go on and on about his painting, it was even more intriguing than I could have imagined. The fact it resides within the walls of the Louvre says it‘s a great painting, but the fact it is not more well know is a puzzle to me. This is beauty created by a skillful mind and hand. This is art that stirs the soul. You can nail a turd to a piece of plywood and call it art, but all you have is a turd and a piece wood. If that stirs your soul, then you have my sympathy.
With that said, I was seriously moved by this painting. Maybe it was the fact of where I was,or that I did something I said I would do someday and kept that promise to myself, or maybe it really was the beauty. But I was told it showed on my face. I just don’t know.
Speaking of beauty, just down the gallery was a doorway. One that every visitor to the Louvre goes through eventually.
The Mona Lisa:
As you turn the corner there it sets behind protective glass, the unimposing portrait of a young woman, the” La Gioconda”, Leonardo da Vinci’s most famous painting. I was told by many that I might be a little let down and I
didn’t really understand. I do now. Roughly 18 by 20 inches, yes it’s a remarkable painting, but dark and deteriorated by time. The fact it was painted on wood and the composition of the paint doesn’t allow for a good restoration, not to mention it is considered the most famous of his paintings makes it untouchable.
Da Vinci painted many versions of this portrait, this being his favorite. It is thought to have been carried with him everywhere he went in later life. Some believe it may be a self portrait.
While considered a genius and way ahead of he’s time , he is said to have been what we would call a bit eccentric, which begs the question......is the joke really on us?...... is the most famous painting in the western cannon of art really Leo himself in Drag?
I have been cut off three times while trying to post on a group blog, and have only now been able to reconnect to my home computer which I use for accessing my email and Opera to write these post. I have sent 3 PM’s that remain unanswered . The Internet connection at this Hotel is quite slow, and I have been warned away from the Internet cafes, lots of shady people with unusual looking electronics hooked to their laptops! So, I have been up most of the night, and after a bit of trouble shooting and way to much wine, I think I have it By George!! Wednesday Morning......
With much anticipation, we arose before daybreak for an early breakfast in bed.
Soon afterwards we were off to my primary destination, the one place I said I would go, but only if I could spend as much time as I wanted. And not until then!One of the great pleasures of travel for me is to see the great architecture of Europe. The closest thing to a European city we have in America is the old parts of New Orleans, much of which were built in the 19th century. Since the day I first open a history book and saw the Great Pyramids of Egypt, I have been amazed at what man has been able to accomplish. The look of 18th & 19th century European architecture, beautiful preserved and restored, sometimes screaming of overindulgence and bordering on gaudiness, is part of the experience of Europe.
While still lit by lights and as the sky began to fill with the light of the morning sun, we stood and gazed at the Facade of an amazing Palace that has witnessed bloodshed, grandeur, spectacle and terror.
A place like no other in the world......
The Louvre:
Thanks to a tip from an Opera friend our wait to get in was short.
We decided to forgo a formal tour and see today the things we really wanted to see first and come back tomorrow for a tour. We headed straight to the Sully Wing and Greek Sculpture Hall, my companions main interest and then later the Egyptian antiquities. After lunch I decided it was time to find the one thing I came here for. A painting that captured my imagination as a boy in fifth grade art class and said I would see with my own eyes someday. After a short walk back to the Denon wing, we stood in front a painting that is ….in my humble opinion, a masterpiece of prospective and light.
Guiseppe Castiglione’s
“The Salon Caree at the Musee du Louvre”.
An almost prefect Floor to ceiling, wall to wall 180 degree view of the gallery. As the sun from the skylight bathed the gallery in light and shadow the painting, a mere 2ft by 4ft , was done in 1861 over a period of 16 days. Castiglione captured not only the gallery, but the various visitors he found interesting as he worked. The painting is even more amazing when you realized he captured the actual paintings hanging in the gallery at that time and painted them at the exact angle as they appeared to him. The gallery ceiling, the massive picture frames, the visitors clothes, the woodwork, even the furniture is done in minute detail. The golds and blues remain vibrant and the picture is remarkable well persevered. I could go on and on about his painting, it was even more intriguing than I could have imagined. The fact it resides within the walls of the Louvre says it‘s a great painting, but the fact it is not more well know is a puzzle to me. This is beauty created by a skillful mind and hand. This is art that stirs the soul. You can nail a turd to a piece of plywood and call it art, but all you have is a turd and a piece wood. If that stirs your soul, then you have my sympathy.
With that said, I was seriously moved by this painting. Maybe it was the fact of where I was,or that I did something I said I would do someday and kept that promise to myself, or maybe it really was the beauty. But I was told it showed on my face. I just don’t know.
Speaking of beauty, just down the gallery was a doorway. One that every visitor to the Louvre goes through eventually.
The Mona Lisa:
As you turn the corner there it sets behind protective glass, the unimposing portrait of a young woman, the” La Gioconda”, Leonardo da Vinci’s most famous painting. I was told by many that I might be a little let down and I
didn’t really understand. I do now. Roughly 18 by 20 inches, yes it’s a remarkable painting, but dark and deteriorated by time. The fact it was painted on wood and the composition of the paint doesn’t allow for a good restoration, not to mention it is considered the most famous of his paintings makes it untouchable.Da Vinci painted many versions of this portrait, this being his favorite. It is thought to have been carried with him everywhere he went in later life. Some believe it may be a self portrait.
While considered a genius and way ahead of he’s time , he is said to have been what we would call a bit eccentric, which begs the question......is the joke really on us?...... is the most famous painting in the western cannon of art really Leo himself in Drag?
WIDGETIZE
By baby_2u, # 12. June 2008, 22:24:54
Did you see Hermaphrodite?
You certainly are a lover of art & beauty & a talented writer to boot. Cool to read the journal of your trip.
By CultureSurfer, # 13. June 2008, 00:57:56
And yes, I have always loved art although I have never really studied it. I guess it’s all the hack artists I’ve know that made me appreciate good art.
Yesterday we did see the Sleeping Hermaphrodite Sculpture.
And of course we had to see the Rembrandts, no description can do them justice, they just have to be seen!
Thank You again Naomi for the excellent tips...every one we have used was right on!
And I haven’t forgotten the Flyers, they were printed Tuesday.
More later, but know it’s time to pick up the sticks and cross the channel for a little work.... after all that is why I’m here!
By Phantom2, # 13. June 2008, 03:44:46
By CultureSurfer, # 13. June 2008, 13:55:08
I'll send pics of the flyers as soon as I get back...meant to do it before now!
By Phantom2, # 13. June 2008, 15:50:14
By CultureSurfer, # 13. June 2008, 20:09:08