Berber Jewels and Exhibition: Paris 1900

Friday June 20 was another great day (we are definitely not complaining!).  Sunny and high around 23C.  We took the Metro to the Fondation Pierre Berge-Yves Saint Laurent to see the exhibit: Berber Women of Morocco.  If was a great tie-in to our recent Moroccan visit, and many of the items were from the permanent collection of the Berber Museum at Jardin Marjorelle, Marrakech.

Poster for exhibit.

Picture of Berber Woman

Another pic- wonderful henna and jewels

Pierre Berge's introduction stressed his and Yves Saint Laurent's emotional relationship with Morocco, which they had since 1966.  Berge indicated that he wanted this particular exhibit to be dedicated to Berber women.  Most of the objects displayed were made, used or worn by Berber women, who ensure that the Berber identify is passed down from generation to generation.  He also indicated that Yves Saint Laurent was deeply inspired by the clothing worn by these women.  

The exhibit was divided into two parts- the first part contained objects made by Berber women (Women's Skills) and the second part was Berber Women's Adornment with an incredible array of jewelry, dresses and other accessories.  It was a small exhibit, but contained beautiful objects and reminded us of Morocco.

Bracelets- very modern Eddie Borgo like

More jewels

Elaborate pieces for holding a robe together

                                                                     Lots of beads

Jewelry is associated with social standing in the Berber culture--- the more, the higher the standing. The display and signage was great- a lovely exhibit.

Here's a photo of me jumpin' outside the exhibit in my Annie Thompson (made in Toronto) pants.

We headed towards the Champs Elysees, passing an apartment moving operation.  Most people have to hire a mover with machinery to move furniture through windows, as the stairs are often too narrow.

                                                                Moving in Paris 

We reached the Arc de Triomphe for another photo.

We stopped for a coffee at a cafe off the main drag and then saw this great arrangement of Tin Tin and Milou (Snowy) outside of the Artcurial bookshop.  Alain's hair looked like Tin Tin's.

Alain petting Milou

We then decided to see the exhibit at the Petit Palais entitled Paris 1900: The City of Entertainment.  The exhibit dealt both with the Universal Exposition that Paris hosted in 1900 and life in Paris during La Belle Epoque.  The Petit Palais was the perfect place for the exhibit, as it, the Grand Palais, and the Alexandre III bridge were built especially for the 1900 Exposition.  There was so much promise in Paris at the turn of the century- the great Paris railway stations were being built, the first Metro line opened, Art Nouveau was emerging as a new art style, the fashion houses were booming, and the Republic was relatively stable.  Over 51 million people visited the Universal Exposition.  All of this hope and progress would be dashed with World War I, just 14 years later.

Petit Palais

Entrance to the exhibit

The exhibit had over 600 works including paintings, objets d'art, clothing, posters, photos, furniture, and jewelry.  The exhibit was divided into six sections with only the first on the actual Universal Exposition.  The first was Window on the World, which dealt with the Expo; the second was Art Nouveau; the third featured fine arts (including paintings by the Impressionists and others); the fourth dealt with Paris fashion; and the last two sections dealt with theatre and other nighttime entertainments in Paris during the Belle Epoque.

Poster for 1900 Expo

The first Paris Metro line opened in 1900, with the wonderful art nouveau entrances designed by Hector Guimard (1867-1942).  His style later fell out of favour and many of his entrances were destroyed.  The few remaining entrances are now designated as historic sites.

                                                                                 A replica of Guimard's style



         Albert Guillaume (1873-1942)  1900

The Art Nouveau section of the exhibit was spectacular-- beautiful vases, lots of posters and sculptures. Art Nouveau was an international movement and a new style of art, linked to nature.  It had asymmetrical lines and was influenced by Japanese art.  It got its name from Siegfried Bing (1838-1905) a German art dealer living in Paris.  Art Nouveau died with WWI and was followed by Art Deco, a return to more straight lines and geometric shapes.

                                               Louis Belet and Madame Bethmont- Vase des Pommerets Pins, 1903          

There were a number of pieces by Alfons Mucha (1860-1939).

                                                        Stained glass window for Fouquet-- by Alfons Mucha 1901

Sculpture of Sarah Bernhardt

1897 Vase a decor d'orchidee- Emile Galle(1846-1904) 

Dessus de Coussin, vers 1900- Alfons Mucha

There was a beautiful tapestry done by the Manufacture des Gobelins with the views held at that time of the "conquest of Africa".

Georges Rochegrosse (1859-1938)  La France en Afrique ou la Conquete de l'Afrique 1899

The section of the exhibit with paintings from La Belle Epoque was full of Cezannes, Renoirs, Lautrecs and many others.  It was such a rich period of French art.

Jean Beraud- Parisienne, Place de la Concorde, circa 1890

Renoir

Albert Besnard (1849-1934)-Portrait de la Comtesse Pillet-Will, 1990-1905

There was a whole section of the exhibit devoted to Parisian women and fashion.  The foreigners that came to visit the Universal Exposition often purchased clothes and then returned to their home country to have their portraits painted in their Parisian finery.  The fashion houses were doing very well during this period.

Paul Nadar (1856-1939) La Comtesse Greffulhe portant la Robe aux lis, cree pour elle par la maison Worth, vers 1896

The following cape designed by Charles Worth, contained material given to Countess Greffulhe by Tsar Nicholas II.

Charles Worth, Cape du soir de la Comtesse Greffulhe, 1896

Theophile Alexandre Steinlen (1859-1923) Scene de rue parisienne 1902

Famous poster- Chat Noir (Theophile-Alexandre Steinlen)

More Mucha posters

We always enjoy the paintings of Henri Gervex (1852-1929), whose work we have seen in the Carnevalet Museum in Paris.  His paintings always contain people who were well-known at the time.  One definitely wanted to be in one of his pictures.

Un soir de grand prix au pavillon d'Armenonville, 1905

Henri Gervex- Une soiree au Pre Catelan, 1909

We could have spent a bit more time in the exhibit, but the gallery closed at 6:00 p.m.  It really captured the optimism and creativity of La Belle Epoque, though did not pass over the fact that there were people living in squalor and eking out a living.  There was also a section on nightlife-- one focus on theatre and one on prostitution.  The coming of electricity made a huge difference to people being able to go out safely at nighttime.  A whole new world of entertainment opened up.

After the exhibit, we walked across the Alexandre III bridge to the left bank.

Jumping with the Eiffel Tower in the background

We spotted this wonderful bar for a drink by the Seine--- called Flow- Plage Ephemere.  We stopped for a glass of rose.  Perfect for a warm summer afternoon.

As we were crossing the Alexandre III bridge (just before we went for our drink), I took a few photos.  It is such a beautiful bridge.

View of the Seine on the bridge

After our drink, we continued to walk along the Seine.  There is a new area with free tables and game boards incorporated into the tables.  This couple was focussed on their game.

We walked along the Quais and then headed up Rue Monge to our apartment.  We spotted this sign for an amphitheatre built in the first century A.D.  We went through a small entrance- and kids were playing in this old square, just off Rue Monge.

The old amphitheatre- just off Rue Monge

Paris never ceases to amaze.   Back to the apartment for a late dinner.  A demain!