Paris is a treasure trove of museums that never cease to amaze. While museums like the Louvre, Centre Pompidou and the Musée d’Orsay are well-known entry points to the city’s artistic legacy, the lesser known museums offer an equally delightful immersion in art. The recently reopened Musée Bourdelle is one such hidden gem that deserves its spotlight.
Nestled in the heart of the busy Montparnasse district, this museum offers a unique and immersive experience that takes visitors on a journey through the life and work of Antoine Bourdelle. The sculptor’s work is often overshadowed by his contemporary Auguste Rodin, but the museum seeks to rectify this oversight.
Located within the former studios of the sculptor, the museum provides a fascinating insight into the world of this lesser-known yet incredibly influential artist. The stunning collection of sculptures, which are thoughtfully displayed throughout the museum’s various studios and galleries are a testament to Bourdelle’s mastery over his craft, and showcase his ability to capture both the human form and the essence of emotion in his pieces. The museum is divided into several spaces: the plaster cast room, the old artist’s studio, the main gallery of sculptures, the technical rooms, and the pièce de résistance, the garden.
The plaster cast room sets the mood for the visit with its larger than life plasters of the sculptures, which give you an insight into the creative process of the artist, and prepares the visitor for the treasures that lie in the other rooms: the allegories of Danse, Music, Tragedy and Comedy, the monument to General Carlos M. de Alvear, and La France, among others. The corridors lead to the artist’s studio, before redirecting the visitor’s into the gallery of sculptures.
We spent a long time in the different rooms, enraptured by the wizardry of his art, before we got to the garden, a tranquil oasis in the heart of Paris that offers a delightful contrast to the bustling city streets of Montparnasse. Here, visitors can admire Bourdelle’s sculptures amidst lush greenery, creating a serene atmosphere that only deepens the appreciation of Bourdelle’s art.
The Virgin with Offering commands attention in the courtyard, but it was La France at the entry of the inner sanctum of the garden that held me captive for several long minutes. Bourdelle chose to represent France as a goddess of war, armed with a shield and a lance garnished with olive branches. She is flanked by serpents, representing wisdom in Greek mythology.
As you go further inside, you are treated to more miniature examples of his work, nestled in the foliage, till the final oeuvre – General Alvear on a gigantic horse. A sculpture so magnificent that you could almost feel the power in the horse’s hooves as it carried the General onto the battlefield. We finished our visit in the technical rooms which shed light on the importance of the raw material in the development of the artist, and offer an intimate perspective on his methodical and innovative approach.
In a city overflowing with artistic wonders, the Musée Bourdelle stands out as a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered. So, if you’re seeking an off-the-beaten-path artistic adventure in Paris, make sure to add the Musée Bourdelle to your must-visit list.
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