Yet its always pleasantly the same. For centuries even.
There was an exhibition
Of small ink drawings at Maison Victor Hugo I was eager to see. So were other Parisians and tourists to my surprise.
These drawings are a well-kept secret you could say.
Mostly only other artists know that Hugo was a master draftsman besides being the author of Hunchback of Notre Dame and Les Miserables.
They are tiny. Some only 3-4” in width. Yet such detail, such emotion.
Drawn ✏️ with great vigor always in black ink. Some have the density of Japanese ink drawings.
Hugo loved to draw castles on mountains surrounded by mist or ‘sfumato’.
The top floor are the Hugo’s apartment rented from 1832 to 1848 at 6, Place des Vosges. Its full of his collections and art objects.
The ‘Chinese Lounge’ panels were painted by Hugo.
I was so dazzled I forgot to focus.
The Gothic dining room has William Morris wallpaper and drapes.
Hugo designed the rooms and furnishings, often buying a desk or armoire, taking it apart and making it into something else.
Don’t forget to look out the windows. The view of the park is spectacular.
The deep Burgundy bedroom was intriguing. I knew I wanted to paint that velvet chair…I’m in my ‘chair period’ this summer.
There is a brand new courtyard cafe at the museum as well as one indoors. It seems all the museums are adding charming cafes.
The excellent Maison Mulot is in charge of desserts.
I resisted, thinking I better do a comparative analysis at tea salon Carette on the other side of the square.
In the end I got a plain vanilla ice cream elsewhere.
The Place des Vosges in the Marais is a lovely must-do to add to your trip list.
I was so enthralled with the idea of painting Hugo’s red velvet chair, I completely missed his innovative standing desk to the left of it. Go figure. Thank you for reading Parisbreakfast. If you'd like to receive Paris letters 💌 and maps 🗺 in your mailbox 📮, do visit my Etsy shop. Bisou bisou 🐻💋🇫🇷
