Art and architecture
Brancusi museum, Paris
Of all the museums I visited, the Brancusi museum will always be one of my favorites. Situated in the heart of Paris on the square in front of the Pompidou Centre. This small museum is free, and although small, give a wonderful insight into the work of the sculptor. The workshop of the artist with…
Sophy Grey Churches
I love small churches. Especially on quiet mornings. The atmosphere of sacredness, early morning sun through stained glass windows and beautiful woodwork, peace and quiet. In the Western Cape, South Africa, I noticed a similarity and uniqueness in Anglican churches. I discovered a surprizing thing. All these churches were designed by a Victorian lady, an…
Modernism in Barcelona
Modernistic buildings in Barcelona At the end of the nineteenth century the industrial revolution was in full swing in Europe. Industrialisation brought new building materials. Cement, steel and corrugated iron led to unimaginative, homogenic housing. Art and craft and good craftsmanship became less important. A new style developed, as a reaction to the boring buildings,…
Museum of Architecture, Paris
If you stand in front of the Eiffel tower and look across the Seine you see a monumental building, the Trocadero. The wing on your right houses the museum of Architecture of Paris. Replicas of parts of some of the finest cathedrals and monuments of France is housed inside. Yes, this is a museum of…
Le Corbusier Foundation.
I am a fan of modern Architecture. Well, lets say most of the well designed buildings. One of the greatest architects of the twentieth century must be Charles-Edouart Jeanneret-Gris, or better known as le Corbusier. Le Corbusier summed up his approach architecture in five points. 1. Lift the whole structure of the ground. He used…
Picasso Museum
I never liked Picasso. I always found him arrogant, patronizing and jealous of his fellow artists. Towards the (many) women in his life he was chauvinistic and unsympathetic.
The Notre Dame of Paris
Notre Dame, a History in stone. Ever since I read the romantic novel, Notre Dame, by Victor Hugo as a student, I dreamt of visiting the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris. I still remember how my heart skipped a beat at the sight of this great building as I crossed the bridge over the…
Museum Bourdelle, Paris
The Museum of Antoine Bourdelle is located in the Montparnasse area. His former studio and a collection of art was left to the City of Paris after his death. The museum was his studio from 1885 until 1929. Bourdelle was a one of the former students of the sculptor Rodin. Like his teacher he wanted…
Zatkine Museum
I am a confessed museum freak. I prefer going to small art museums as they are far more accessible than huge museums like the Louvre. The smaller museums usually represents only one artist at a time. That allows you to get a grip on the art of a specific artist and help you to see…