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Portrait of Anne, Vicountess Townsend by Sir Joshua Reynolds
Collection of the Legion of Honor
Photo by Ingrid Mida, copyright 2011 |
Perched on the edge of the Pacific Ocean in San Francisco is a palatial museum called the
Legion of Honor. Home to an extraordinary collection of paintings and decorative objects from the 17th to 20th century, this Louvre-like palace and grounds is host to a retrospective exhibition by the Belgian artist Isabelle de Borchgrave.
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Courtyard of the Legion of Honor in San Francisco
Photo by Ingrid Mida copyright 2011 |
Although I went out to the museum to see Isabelle de Borchegrave's paper dress sculptures, the museum itself was so noteworthy that I thought it deserved a separate post. With a dazzling collection of paintings and decorative objects and set on expansive grounds, I was decidedly content to spend the entire day there. At one point, I felt a little bit like I was stepping back in time to the 18th century when I encountered Marie Antoinette's canape a la ture (sofa).
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Queen Marie Antoinette's sofa in the Legion of Honor
Photo by Ingrid Mida copyright 2011 |
This royal sofa, which was originally gilded, was commissioned by Queen Marie Antoinette for a niche in her apartments in the palace of Versailles. It subsequently was owned by the King's sister, Madame Elizabeth, who replaced the gilding with the more up-to-date neoclassical scheme of white and gold. It was sold during the French revolution to Gouverneur Morris, American Ambassador to France at the time.
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Portrait of Hycaninthe Gabrielle Roland by Elisabeth Louise Vigee Le Brun
Collection of the Legion of Honor
Photo by Ingrid Mida, copyright 2011 |
This museum is home to an astonishing number of 18th century masterworks including Fragonard, Boucher and Watteau as well as Marie Antoinette's favourite portrait painter, Elisabeth Louise Vigee Le Brun. Not limited to this period, there are also galleries with more contemporary works by Renoir, Rodin, Picasso and other artists.
If you find yourself hankering for Paris but live on the west coast of the USA, this museum is the next best thing! My next post will be about the Legion of Honor's special exhibition called
Pulp Fashion, the Art of Isabelle de Borchgrave.
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Pulp Fashion Poster at the Legion of Honor
Photo by Ingrid Mida, copyright 2011 |
Legion of Honor, Museum of Fine Art San Francisco
100 34th Ave
San Francisco, CA 94121
(415) 750-3677
