 |
Beth's Picks:
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec illustrates the Belle Epoque at the Phillips Collection, in D.C. (through April 30)
This exhibit is a must-see! A number of the rare posters and paintings have never been made available to the public in the United States.
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec
(1864-1901) was a French Post-
Impressionist born into an aristocratic family. A rare genetic bone disease, perhaps linked to the fact that his parents were first cousins, caused his legs to stop growing at around the age of 13. He only reached the height of about 5'0'. He was mocked for his infirmities and tur
ned to alcohol for relief, even filling his cane, which he needed to walk, with alcohol. He eventually succumbed to the effects of alcoholism and other illnesses and died at the age of 36.
|
|
|
At the
height of his artistic career, as a
pioneer of the Art Nouveau movement,
he designed posters for hotspots of
Parisian nightlife such as the Chat Noir and the Moulin Rouge. Despite his high social status, Toulouse-Lautrec was shunned because of his physical appearance, and he became fascinated with the lifestyle of the Parisian lower classes, which was so far removed from his own aristocratic origins. He painted cabaret dancers and prostitutes, giving us a glimpse of the decadence of Montmartre
in late 19th-century Paris.
|
|
|
|
| Abbesses metro entrance in Paris |
|
DC museums
National Gallery Sculpture Garden
If you want to feel like you are in Paris, take a stroll here! This Metro sign, created by Hector Guimard, is one of the most iconic and romantic examples of the Art Nouveau movement. Although Guimard created 141 similar signs between 1900 and
1913, only 58 survive, including this one. Most of the others are scattered around Paris.
|
|
|
National Gallery Sculpture Garden
|
These aesthetically pleasing green
entrances can be found all over Paris,
and if you lo
ok carefully, you may spot the occasional glass canopy at the entrance, like the one at the Abbesses
station shown above. For
devoted fans of the film
Amélie, you must visit the métro station Abbesses. It is your gateway to exploring
Montmartr
e.
National Gallery of Art
|
|
|
|
Claude Monet.The Bridge at Argenteuil:1874
|
|
I spent an afternoon in the breathtaking 19th-Century French Galleries to view the Impressionist and Post- Impressionist
collection. The National Gallery of Art boasts one of the greatest collections of Impressionist masterpieces in the world, including masterpieces by Monet, Renoir, Manet,
Cézanne, Van Gogh and Gauguin.
|
|
Bistro Cacao
Located in a townhouse on The Hill, it felt that we were stepping into a 19th century Zola novel....red curtains that allow for private rendez-vous, antique table lamps, comfy chairs, and u
nhurried service. What more can you ask for? And yes, the food is classic and excellent Bistro fare.
Paul: Bouglangerie, Patisserie
As close to France as it gets! This 120-year-old, family-run company launched its flagship U.S. store on Pennsylvania Avenue NW. We were wowed
by the outstanding omelettes, and the authentic croissants and baguettes,
as well as the charming French-speaking staff. The Georgetown location on Wisconsin Ave is equally
outstanding.
Le Diplomate
Authentic bistro fare in a bustling, perpetually crowded Logan Square brasserie, with a festive ambiance complete with red banquettes, antique mirrors, and a zinc bar. The iced shellfish towers alone help create a celebratory mood. The steak-frites are authentically French, as is the divine tarte tatin.
|
Della Robbia: Sculpting with Color in Renaissance Florence
National Gallery of Art: through June, 4, 2017
I admit that I wasn't familiar with the work of Luca Della Robbia (1400-1482) until I happened upon this extraordinary exhibit at the National Gallery. This is the first American exhibition of Della Robbia sculpture.
Della Robbia created extraordinarily beautiful glazed terra-cotta sculptures that were produced in his family's workshop for over three generations. His work can easily be identified by its religious themes and the use of blues, yellows, and greens. During his lifetime, Della Robbia produced statues for church altars, Madonna and Child portraits for private homes, as well as coats of arms.
|
Kids' Corner:
Trivia
How many words do you really need to communicate in a Romance Language?
|
ANSWER:
These 300 key words
give you
the bare essentials for communicating in your target language, and once you've mastered the basics, you can move on to more complex sentences and vocabulary. You can also refer to this page for a more concise list of words.
|
|
|
LURIE LANGUAGE
| | 212 729-7500 | info@lurielanguage.com
| Lurielanguage.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
