Giverny

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So yesterday, another gloriously sunny day, I went to Giverny, home of Monet. Unfortunately there were enough people to make the walk through the house quite crowded, but the floor to ceiling collections of Japanese art (apparently a favorite of Monet's) were still quite impressive. And of course the kitchen couldn't be missed. It looks exactly as it does in the pictures- done completely in blue and white tiles and decorated solely with with copper cookeware. And the stove. wow. It must be the most impressive stove I've ever seen. Probably about 3 times the size of an average wood stove with so many different cooking compartments I wouldn't have known where to start. No pictures allowed inside.

But the gardens are where it's at (of course). Of course the flower garden in front of the house changes according to the season and since I was seeing the fall garden, it was chock-full of huge and brightly colored zinnias. Of course there were lots of other flowers, but those really stood out. And the garden is huge! With little paths leading through it, some benches under a big tree in one corner, the studio itself in another.

Then across the road is the lily pad garden, which is his paintings. His style made perfect sense standing in the place of his inspiration. Though the lilies were not in impressive bloom, the ambiance was still unmistakable. Crossing the little green bridges seen so many times in his paintings, spotting the row boats through a small thicket of bamboo trees, watching the reflections of the willows on the pond.

We also went to the museum of American art right next door (strange to be looking at american art in france, but the exhibit was to show the influences of the 2 cultures on each other). I am discovering that really what I like about looking at paintings is getting to actually see the world through someone else's eyes. How did the artist perceive a moment? And how were they affected by it? Because that of course influences how they decide to render it. Then I can use that to try and view the world in more than one way. So of course walking through Monet's gardens I couldn't help but be influenced by his paintings and let them guide the way I myself saw yesterday what he saw so many years ago. Is this making sense? Obviously, most interesting are the pictures, so enjoy.

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Photos

garden snail and fall berries
can you see him? he's striped!

very different quality of light
around the pond from in the garden by the house

the pond
Andrea- when you called, this is what I was gazing on

church at Giverny
The church where Monet and his family are buried, classic for french countryside. Not especially notable on the outside, but...

inside
incredible light from the stained glass windows

Comments

[Freddi]

Bravo
Emma -- I feel like you are holding my hand and giving me the best tour I could ever imagine, to see Paris....France....through your eyes and hear the patter inside your head is amazing. Thank you darlin'....Love you.

[Joy]

fab pictures
i've never been here Emma but I really want to . I love your photographic arrangements. Keep walking on air hinny! Love from your geordie cousin