|
Paris
History |
Paris Museums (Part 2 of 2)Other great museums, in addition to those listed in part one, are:Musée de Clunée (Medieval Museum)At one time known as the Hôtel de Cluny, the structure is an outstanding example of a 15th century private residence. The actual building is an amalgam, starting with private houses built into the remains of Roman structures erected over the thermal baths.By the 1500s, the present edifice was erected on the walls of the original Roman structures. The interior was renovated and windows installed during the 19th century. The collection housed there was started by Alexandre du Sommerard, who gathered armour, chests, ivories, mirrors and hangings of the medieval period. However, its true gems were acquired under the stewardship of Sommerard's son. He added some of the most intricate and fascinating examples of wall hangings still in existence, the most valuable of which, is an incredible piece with six scenes of a woman with a lion and a unicorn, titled La Dame à l'Unicorne. The ethereal red background of each panel is embroidered with a thousand flowers, birds and animals, surrounding the mysterious woman who is seated in various poses on a green island. Address: 6, place Paul Painlevé. Museum of MankindA broad range of sciences are represented here, including anthropology, ethnology, paleontology, genetics, and linguistic studies. Originally the Museum of Ethnology, the collections and displays date back to the curiosities owned by Kings in the 16th century, with items from every international expedition undertaken by French explorers or adventurers.Two of the more interesting exhibits are the Gallery of the Night of Time, showing the creeping progress of knowledge through the evolution of Man; and the American Galleries, featuring a trip from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego. Address: Palais de Chaillot, 17, place du Trocadéro. Picasso MuseumHoused in a fifteenth century mansion in the Marais district, the museum contains the progressive works of Picasso, completed between 1894 and 1972. The collection began with works the government received in lieu of death duties when Picasso passed away in 1973, and was added to after the death of his widow in 1990.The number of paintings is low in relation to what was snapped up by museums in other countries, but the collection does contain his engraving works, some ceramics, and such unusual pieces as The Bull's Head, a cast bronze work that placed bicycle handlebars over the bike's saddle. Address: 5, rue de Thorigny. Louvre MuseumAnd of course, Paris is home to that most famous museum of all, Le Louvre!
|
|||||||
For Beginners Copyright © 2004 M. Feenstra, Den Haag. All rights reserved. | ||||||||