Rubens, Poussin and Seventeenth Century Artists at the Musée Jacquemart-André in Paris

Louis Le Nain, Le Concert

Peter Paul Rubens, Le Bain de Diane

It promises to be a gem of a show in a jewel of a museum. And it’s opening very soon, September 24, to be exact. Thank goodness it runs through January 24, 2011.  That still gives me time to figure out how to beam myself over to Paris for this most alluring exhibition. You see, along with eighteenth century France, I’m passionate about the seventeenth century, especially when it comes to Flemish Baroque and French Classical school paintings from that era. And that’s exactly the focus of this Rubens, Poussin and Seventeenth Century Artists exhibition at the Musée Jacquemart-André in Paris. Think fleshy figures by Rubens, dramatic displays by Poussin, pleasant scenes by Le Nain, all masterfully painted in the richest and most penetrating colors imaginable.

My first visit to Europe was to Antwerp, Belgium, home of Peter Paul Rubens, grand master of the Baroque. I visited The Rubens House, an impressive dwelling that looks like it’s just out of the film “The Girl with the Pearl Earring.” From there, I traveled to Paris and as they say, the rest is history.

The Pastry Selection of the Musée Jacquemart-André

This exhibition offers a unique view of these two great artistic movements of the seventeenth century.  And best of all, these extraordinary works will be presented in one of the loveliest and most intimate museums of Paris.  I can imagine no better setting.  A visit to the Musée Jacquemart-André is a must, even if you can’t make this show.  It is a glorious temple of art, originally a private home of notable art collectors, where you can admire significant pieces from the Italian Renaissance, eighteenth-century France and Flemish masters such as Rembrandt at any given time.

But here’s the pièce de résistance of the Jacquemart-André museum:  They boast an exquisite café/tea salon that makes you feel as though you’re sitting in a painting while you enjoy your perfect respite within this most elegant museum.  Mais attention! Too many gâteaux from the pastry cart are apt to leave you feeling decidedly Rubenesque. Only kidding, enjoy to your heart’s delight!  Isn’t that sometimes what Paris is all about?

Musée Jacquemart-André, 158 boulevard Haussmann, eighth arrondissement, 33 (0)1.45.62.11.59, Musee-Jacquemart-Andre.com

The Café/Tea Salon of the Musée Jacquemart-André

Nicolas Poussin, Coriolan

Thank you to Sofiacome and FranceGuide for the above images.