Not Part of the Exhibit
I love museums. There is always something that inspires me, and I invariably learn something new with each visit…but I am also intrigued by aspects of museums that aren’t part of the exhibit.
The photo above is a stairway at the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek in Copenhagen. The subtle colors, angles, and light remind me of a Vilhelm Hammershøi painting.
The juxtaposition of the graphic in this “Don’t Slip” sign in front of a classical mural in the Musée Carnavalet in Paris made me stop and smile.
Magnificent centuries-old textiles in rich Venetian colors lined the walls inside the Fortuny museum in Venice…a distinct contrast to the time-worn balconies and pale stone walls at the back of the building. Look at the amazing arched windows filled with discs of Murano glass.
In a quiet hallway of the Louvre, men in white coats were expertly marbelizing the walls, using several different colors of paint to match the original finish.
Rosenborg Slot is the castle in Copenhagen that holds the history of Danish royals and the crown jewels. I noticed these paint swatches and numbers on an ancient door. The numbers represent the layers of paint on the door. Interesting to see the changes in taste all lined up on a door.
The plaster museum in Coreglia Antelminelli, Italy was filled with examples of the plaster sculpture and architectural details that the town is famous for…but don’t these chairs and this bench lined up against a wall make a charming resting spot?
I took a wrong turn in the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, and wandered into a hallway where these large, linen-bound documents, dating from the 18th century, were stored. I love the colors, and the old type on the labels.
Sometimes the view outside the museum is as wonderful as what’s inside. I took this picture outside the window of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs.
I’m not suggesting that anyone else do this multi-tasking version of museum going because, honestly, there’s always more than enough to see without looking at the areas that are not part of the exhibit. It’s just my nature to want to see more…
Musée Carnavalet, Paris