Pastels in London and Paris Museums
December 15, 2011 12:15 AM   Subscribe

Thinking of visiting London and Paris next year...also been getting into pastels so would like to hit up art museums with a good number of quality pastel paintings by Degas, Renoir, etc. (prefer impressionist style). Which museums provide this abundance? I'm thinking the Musée d'Orsay, maybe the Louvre...anywhere else?
posted by lirael2008 to Media & Arts (8 answers total)
 
Best answer: The Musée de l’Orangerie might be worth a quick look.
posted by misteraitch at 1:08 AM on December 15, 2011 [1 favorite]


I came in to say what misteraitch noted.

I actually don't remember much Impressionism in the Louvre--maybe I missed the section when I was distracted by the 18th/19th cen large format French paintings.

d'Orsay is a good choice for what you seek as well.
posted by chiefthe at 3:08 AM on December 15, 2011


Obvious answer... The National Gallery. The Impressionists have their own room.
posted by plep at 3:19 AM on December 15, 2011


Best answer: You might not know the Courtauld - "one of the finest small art museums in the world". They have Degas drawings.
posted by laukf at 3:22 AM on December 15, 2011


The Musée D'Orsay has a large and stunning collection of pastels displayed in darkened, hushed galleries.
posted by Elsie at 4:08 AM on December 15, 2011


Came in to also recommend the Courtauld gallery in London. The National Gallery is a given, but I really like the Courtauld for Impressionist/Post-Impressionist. It's also the perfect size and layout for a cozy afternoon of art-admiring.

The Louvre has more of the classic art (i.e. Renaissance) -- d'Orsay has the Impressionists -- an entire floor of them, with an entire room set aside just for Degas.
posted by paisley sheep at 10:08 AM on December 15, 2011


Seconding Musée de l’Orangerie. Almost all impressionist works, much less crowded than the other major art museums. You can actually linger at individual pieces that catch your eye without getting pushed down the line. Amazing collection of Monet's works, but also those of Cézanne, Renoir, Picasso, Rousseau, Matisse, Derain, Modigliani, etc.

This turned out to be one of our favorite museums during a recent visit to Paris.
posted by flyingrock at 1:59 PM on December 15, 2011


Best answer: Musée Marmottan in Paris is a bit off the beaten path (in the 16th arrondissement) but has a pretty awesome collection of Monet and other impressionist works. And it's usually less crowded than the more central museums because it's a little far out.
posted by high5ths at 7:05 PM on December 15, 2011


« Older Too busy to feel this shitty?   |   Was the original Internet architecture designed... Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.