Ladies of Spring
Spring is slowly bringing life back to the rain soaked streets of Paris, and with it emerges a whole new season of exhibitions. Even in a city full of favourites by Van Gogh, Matisse and Monet we can't help but sway towards the work of female artists. Which is why we were so excited for ‘Tradaux de Dames’ at the Musee des Arts Decoratifs. From delicate textiles to practical furniture, to surreal, flashing sculptures and mind-blowingly intricate glass, all manner of skills and styles can be found displayed on the top floor of the Louvre’s friendly neighbour. The majority of the collection is contemporary, but there are nods to make do and mend and traditional methods. The space is full of bright colours, prints and bold materials. All three rooms contrast greatly to the antique treasures and practical architecture displayed around the rest of Arts Decoratifs. None of the pieces feel traditionally feminine, even the textiles are larger than life compared to the intricate stitching on furnishings found throughout the the rest of the museum. Pictured beneath are works by Niki de Saint-Phalle, Violeta Parra and Comme des Garcons.
Musée des Arts Decoratifs: 107 Rue de Rivoli ‘Travaux de Dames’ 8th March-17th September 2017
Other ladies in the spot light this Spring are Russian ballet dancer Olga Picasso and prolific art collector Alicia Koplowitz. ‘The Olga Period’ at Musee Picasso explores the life and marriage of Pablo to his first wife and most famous muse, the dancer who left her family in 1915 without realising she’d never see them again. We were both moved by her story which was told not just through Pablo’s work, but also through letters and personal objects rescued from an old trunk discovered by their son Paul after her death. This allowed her to tell her own story alongside the many beautiful versions of her presented by her husband. In the ‘Change of Scenery’ room her anxiety at suddenly being thrust into the eye of the art world alongside her successful husband whilst her family suffered through the crisis in Russia is apparent. It was almost a relief to move into the room of soft Maternity portraits of her and baby Paul, where there is a palpable sense of the serenity motherhood brought into her life. Family videos and photos of the mother and son show how much Pablo adored the pair, and the joy Paul brought to both their lives.
Musée Picasso: 5 Rue de Thorigny ‘Olga Picasso’ March 21st-September 3rd 2017
Alicia Koplowitz dealt with her break up exactly how we would if we too were Spanish Business Magnates. After divorcing her husband of twenty years she turned to art when feeling alone, and has since amassed a collection worth millions. There was apparently no method to her purchasing, she simply wanted pieces that she connected to that made her happy. A selection of paintings and sculptures from her collection are currently on display at ‘Musée Jacquemart-André’. Most of them feature Women and Alicia’s girl gang are definitely worth a visit. Stand out pieces include a lavender hued, Lucien Freud portrait and one of Louise Bourgeois’ spiders. Unfortunately, photos were not permitted, so you'll just have to go and check it out for yourself!
Musée Jacquemart-André: 158 Boulevard Haussmann ‘La collection Alicia Koplowitz’ March 3rd-July 10th 2017
Written by Mabel Wattam
Musée des Arts Decoratifs: 107 Rue de Rivoli ‘Travaux de Dames’ 8th March-17th September 2017
Other ladies in the spot light this Spring are Russian ballet dancer Olga Picasso and prolific art collector Alicia Koplowitz. ‘The Olga Period’ at Musee Picasso explores the life and marriage of Pablo to his first wife and most famous muse, the dancer who left her family in 1915 without realising she’d never see them again. We were both moved by her story which was told not just through Pablo’s work, but also through letters and personal objects rescued from an old trunk discovered by their son Paul after her death. This allowed her to tell her own story alongside the many beautiful versions of her presented by her husband. In the ‘Change of Scenery’ room her anxiety at suddenly being thrust into the eye of the art world alongside her successful husband whilst her family suffered through the crisis in Russia is apparent. It was almost a relief to move into the room of soft Maternity portraits of her and baby Paul, where there is a palpable sense of the serenity motherhood brought into her life. Family videos and photos of the mother and son show how much Pablo adored the pair, and the joy Paul brought to both their lives.
Musée Picasso: 5 Rue de Thorigny ‘Olga Picasso’ March 21st-September 3rd 2017
Musée Jacquemart-André: 158 Boulevard Haussmann ‘La collection Alicia Koplowitz’ March 3rd-July 10th 2017
Written by Mabel Wattam
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