The Musée d’Orsay in Paris is one of my favorite places in the world. The last time I was there, we spent eight full hours and it wasn’t enough. This art museum is housed in the former Gare d’Orsay, a gorgeous Beaux-Arts railway station built between 1898 and 1900. The station was scheduled for demolition in the seventies for a newer hotel complex. Fortunately, that never happened.
A ceiling detail.
The famous clock.
I don’t know who did this sculpture, but I think it’s amazing. That the artist was able to make marble look like a gossamer is incredible to me.
Here’s the rest of her:
Anyone know the name of the work or the sculptor?
[I have since learned the name of the sculpture and the artist: “Le Souvenir,” 1885, Marius Jean Antonin Mercié. It is still in the Musée d’Orsay, according to sources.]
Hope your week’s going well. . . .
{carole}
Pearls & Prose 
Such beautiful photos.
That sculpture is amazing but I have no idea who made it.
I need to go to Paris soon and revisit the museum.
Me too. Be sure to check on what’s showing, because the second time I went, my favorite Impressionist paintings were all loaned out.
Thanks, I will.
I have just checked the museum’s page and they have a list of all the scultptures with photos but this one wasn’t there. Maybe that was from a temporary exhibition?
Could be. It’s been years, but I’m pretty sure this was upstairs near the beautiful tea room.
Fabulous sculpture!!!
It’s even more amazing in person, Susan. I wanted to get closer to study the technique, but I would have set off alarms. 🙂
It’s amazing how the sculptor was able to make marble look soft and pliable. Incredible. It reminds me of a similar statue called “Veiled Vestal Virgin” which is similarly stunning.
Yes, it’s very similar, Jackie. Can’t even imagine how it was done.
One of my many “favourite” places in Paris. Wonderful sculpture, but then again, the place is full of wonders.
It really is. The Impressionist paintings were beyond description.
Not sure who made it, but it is elegant. I haven’t been inside the museum yet, but I walked by it the last time I was in Paris.
It’s just impossible to see everything in Paris during one trip. Unless you’re there for a month. Even then, probably not do-able.
Lovely sculpture. I’ve never seen anything like that!
I hadn’t either. Now I’m wondering where it is!
The sculture is:
Le Souvenir (detail) by Marius Jean Antonin Mercié
Thanks so much for that.