The Art World - Paris 1874 - Part 111 (last one)

Entering the stately doors of any large museum in pretty much any big city, one can feel the grandeur soaking out every crevice. The magnificence is typically off the chart, and I am immediately enchanted with the creative artwork and genius behind the paintings, sculptures, and even the whimsical. The biggest draw for me is wondering how "they" created what stands before me.

I am usually in total awe of impressive art palaces.

A few decades ago, I traveled to Italy (first visiting Poland with my Dad and Aunt Mary) and then to other countries with my sister Annette and her friend, Debbie. I read 17 books on Art, particularly Italian Art and the Masters (Michelangelo, da Vinci, Botticelli, Caravaggio, and Raphael). I immersed myself in that world for five months, gleaning as much as possible so my trip to the museums around Italy would resonate with me and I would benefit greatly (and appreciate) from what I saw every day. It worked!

For the few dozen French Impressionist painters, it's been a slow buildup in art knowledge for me through the years, as well as knowledge of many of their works since their masterpieces are much more ubiquitous globally.

Without further ramblings, here are the last of my favorite impressionist paintings. Like my grandson, I can't get enough of the wonderment!

Photo: 1) The Country Dance by Renoir

Photo 2 - The Starry Night by Van Gogh

Photo 3 - Terri and Linda at the Giant Clock Overlooking the Seine (upstairs in the Musee d'Orsay)

Photo 4 - Where the Impressionist Movement all started - in photographer Felix Nadar's photo studio!

Photos: 5) Roses by Van Gogh; 6) Portrait of an Artist - by Van Gogh (has both ears!); 7) Chrysanthemums by Monet (painting/vase is off center - the photo is not cut off); 8) The Dance Class by Degas; 9) The View of the Church in Auvers-Sur-Oise by Van Gogh; 10) Blue Water Lilies by Monet (LARGE painting behind glass so there is glare on this one - I tried many angles to eliminate it)