Monday, October 31, 2011

Checking out the Musee Chagall, Nice

















One of my favourite museums in Nice is the Musee Marc Chagall in the Cimiez neighbourhood, North of the city centre. The combination of the rich colour and surrealist fantasy in his works on display is simply stunning. Above are details from my favourite series, "Le cantique des cantiques" (The Song of Songs). The elongated brides, the angels, the doves, and winged horses all add up to such a rich iconography in his interpretation of this lyrical and poetic Book of the Bible...


















Most of the paintings on display come from his Bible series, and above is another of my favourites - The Expulsion of Adam and Eve from the garden of Eden. Again that gorgeous turquoise shade and fine detail make the work memorable....
















In addition to the Bible paintings, there are also some exquisite stained glass windows, a lovely mosaic, and beautiful drawings to be seen in the gallery. Originally from Russia, Chagall spent many years in France, and is buried with his wife nearby in the perched village of St Paul de Vence. Many museums in Nice are free, but entry here is quite pricey at 9.50 Euros, but unlike many other museums it has a cute cafe in the garden gazebo to mull over the museum and relax. Find the museum 10 minutes walk North from Gare Nice-Ville or take bus 15 or 22 from the centre. Entry is free the first Sunday of every month. Enjoy!!

6 comments:

Sylvia K said...

Oh, wow! That looks like such a terrific museum! Your photos are superb as always! It is easy to see that you are definitely enjoying your new home, Catherine! I'm really happy for you!! Keep the pictures coming -- they're the next best thing to being there myself! Enjoy your week!

Sylvia

Lynne with an e said...

I'll make sure to be there on a first Sunday! I love how your little parcels of the paintings fit together to give the whole image. It actually encourages a more focused concentration on each element of the canvas. It must be absolutely stunning to stand before the real deal.
Bonne semaine!

French Girl in Seattle said...

Loved that museum when I visited this summer. Isn't the garden just magical, with the quaint cafe and the olive trees? There is so much to do on Cimiez hill. I spent a whole day there... Veronique

rasta said...

nice photo...but rasta still don't understand about it...

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Malyss said...

Hello! thank you for your visit on my blog!and it's so interesting to discover how YOU see this part of France!with your "alien eyes", you surely see things that I don't see anymore!

Catherine said...

thanks for the comments this week - a museum well worth visiting...