Thursday, May 11, 2023

Giovanni Bellini, Jacquemart-André

 

So many exhibits to see in Paris, but one procrastinates. 

And then one never get around to it. Or waits till big warning posters go up in the Metro. Then the masses descend. 
Being an uber-ADHDer who rarely plans ahead, does not help.

When Rosemary asked, “want to go see the Bellini on Tuesday at 10:30?” I jumped. 

Even if it was raining cats & dogs. 

BOOK YOUR TICKET AHEAD. That’s how it is post-Covid. It’s not going away.

“There are too many masterpieces.” 50 works of the Venetian Italian Renaissance are gathered from many private and public collections.

A little background on Giovanni (ca. 1435-1516). 
Born the illegitimate son of painter Jacapo Bellini, he joined his father’s painting studio along with his brother, Gentile and brother-in-law Andrea Mantegna (married to his sister Nicolosia). Not a bad family to be born into 👍

Here he picked up a command of Classicism, sculptural forms and perspective. H
e was influenced by every artist coming to Venice, like Antonella da Messina and sculptor Donatello. Works by Flemish artists Jan van Eyck and Hans Memling made their way to Venice and influenced Giovanni. Along with his exceptional students Titian and Giorgione.

I was captivated by the details.
“The magic is always in the details”

Look for enthralling miniature Tuscan landscapes within the bigger pictures.

Tuscan hilltop towns haven’t changed 
in Italy


Seen in Volterra, Tuscany at a watercolor workshop.

The intensity of the brilliant colors painted in egg tempura.

I wondered why the Madonna’s mantel always was blue and her dress red? 
While the blue represents the Virgin's purity, and connotes her royal status, the red garment signifies traits connected with motherhood, including love, passion, and devotion. 

There is the pigment factor - 
Lapis lazuli blue was the most costly & rarest of pigments. As was Vermilion red. Both were required for the commissioned paintings, plus gold leaf.

Rosemary noticed an abondance of pink, which I completely missed. Was it leftover Vermillion mixed with lead white? No pigments were wasted in the atelier.

Later I found the perfect matching pink i
n my fromage blanc verrine


It was still raining cats & dogs when we left.

We stopped by a little tea shop, Les Thés d’Emilie near Rosemary’s. I have always want to go inside.

Amidst the plethora of British tea paraphrenalia 

I spotted THE CUP ☕️ (next to Wilkins orange marmelade). 
On the bottom it says ‘Jours Heureux’ 
❤️ Instant love 

Next thing I knew Rosemary was having it wrapped up! 🎁 

La la la la la
On Etsy now if you want la tasse bleue


26 comments:

  1. Anonymous2:41 AM

    Lovely!

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    1. Anonymous4:06 AM

      Thank you ☕️ ❤️

      Delete
  2. Ohhhhh, I love this tea cup! Thanks for the trip in the rain……from my spot on the couch 😉

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    1. Anonymous9:39 AM

      Happy to oblige dear Kirra sans ☂

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    2. Merci!

      Delete
  3. Lovely tea cup. The scalloped edge adds interest. Wonderful exhibit of some of Bellini’s paintings. I do love that museum. Small and intimate. Great gift shop, too!🗼❤️

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    1. Anonymous9:38 AM

      Correct on every count 👍

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  4. First..How NICE of Rosemary! So nice..Love the paintings..And not sure if that's Rosemary outside..I don't think so..but she matches the shop!

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    1. Anonymous9:18 AM

      No she is much more chic! Yes Very nice of her ☕️❤️👏

      Delete
  5. Anonymous9:33 AM

    Thank you for your rainy adventure! Beautiful and informational💐♥️Loved all of it!

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  6. Bonnie L12:30 PM

    Perfect rainy-day-in-Paris activity, Carol. Thank you for letting us tag along to another fabulous exhibit. Wish we were there to have tea with you both. Enjoy your new teacup…such a lovely gift. ❤️

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    1. Anonymous3:27 PM

      I wish you were too ❤️ ☕️

      Delete
  7. Jacquemart Andreis a very special museum- it's where I was introduced to the works of the Cabillot brothers. Rosemary is a very special friend - the cup was screaming for you to own it.

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    1. Anonymous3:26 PM

      THE CAILLEBOTTE BROTHERS exhibit was wonderful - 2011

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    2. yes, I couldn't remember the year.

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  8. Anonymous1:55 PM

    Love the cup, the tiny teapot and the white flower. Is it a peony?

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    1. Anonymous3:26 PM

      Yes it’s a peony - they open so fast.

      Delete
  9. Anonymous4:40 PM

    I too am in love with the cup and saucer!

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    1. Anonymous10:48 PM

      Blue cups will do that to you. Seductive!

      Delete
  10. Linda Karber8:21 PM

    The cup and peony painting is so beautiful. Those peonies do open quickly, don’t they ?! I just noticed a large bud on my peony plant yesterday and today it was open in a lovely pink to match your painting. It made me smile!

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    1. Anonymous10:48 PM

      Thank you 🌸
      Peonies have a mind if their own. Slmeone said to put them in the fridge wrapped in newspaper to slow them down. The fleuriste did not agree
      Plenty of Cold water he said

      Delete
  11. Anonymous11:02 PM

    Received your lovely April Spring picture! Jane

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    1. Anonymous8:44 PM

      Thank you Jane ❤️

      Delete
  12. i have always loved Bellini (just saw some of his work in Cleveland last week -- but I think the rest of it is right where you were!). And I love Jacquemart-Andre, one of my favorite museums in Paris, I think. Very do-able and always interesting exhibits. I would have loved that one -- even in the rain! Le sigh.

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    1. Anonymous8:44 PM

      The Jacquemart is a treasure! You have sophisticated taste Jeanie🥂🍾

      Delete

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