The Musee D' Orsay

by Alexandra Bonfante-Warren

The Musee d'Orsay contains one of the most magnificent collections of 19th- and early 20th-century art in the world. Limited to the years between 1848 and 1914, the collection showcases Impressionist and Postimpressionist favorites by Monet, Renoir, Cassatt, Van Gogh, Seurat, and Signac. In addition, Realist, Nabis, Symbolist, and Fauvist movements are represented in works by Millet, Gauguin, Redon, and Matisse. The light-filled galleries are also ideal for viewing the sculpture. Works in other media include furniture, objets d'art, architecture, photography, jewelry, and glassware. This book's color plates depict many of the masterpieces, and the text traces the roots of the core collection within the context of developing and changing art trends.

Genres: Art, Travel, History, France, Nonfiction

320 pages, Hardcover

First published September 26, 2000

Reviews

[Noah Goats · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a big book packed with gorgeous images of the art at the Musee d’Orsay (mostly Impressionist or at least from roughly the time of the Impressionists). Minimal text to explain or help interpret the art, but the works themselves are beautiful. I’ve really enjoyed spending 20 minutes or so with it every day for the past week and a half.

[Beverly Diehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a gorgeous and informative book. Although I was lucky enough to visit musee D'Orsay in 2018, there was so much I didn't get to see or read about. While mainly this coffeetable-sized book is photographs of the works of art, divided into the architecture and design of the building, the paintings (the largest section), sculptures, other media (chalk, pencil, water color) and other objects, there is plenty of text to explain the history of each section. As well as text to explain each photograph and its artist. Really enjoyed it.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

all the works of art i love & hold dear to my heart. oh how i wish to one day see the musée d’orsay, sometimes more than the louvre. this book is the personification of (almost) all the art i researched this year 💞

[Ola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful reproductions, but I miss more analysis of each picture.

[Erik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good sized book with nice reproductions of a lot of art from the museum. A couple sentences and details on each piece for a bit of background and analysis.

[JanGlen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book to read before visiting the Musee d'Orsay, and then to browse through again afterwards. There are plenty of beautiful colour images presented in rough chronological order, accompanied by text which is straightforward and informative. The author spares us any flights of fancy.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wouldn't necessarily buy this, it's a big clunker that I keep for people to leaf through...I found it on a bargain table. If you're at all interested in art, though, leaf through it if you ever see it.

[Chris Gager · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely some crud in there but mostly diamonds. Big coffee table book.

[Mary Gorden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Délicieux!