Musee Bourdelle, Paris

In 1885, Antoine Bourdelle engaged a studio in the growing artist colony close to Montparnasse in the 15th arrondissement of Paris.  Near the end of his life, Antoine planned to create a museum much like his predecessor Rodin, and in 1949 the Bourdelle Museum opened -- Antoine's wife Cleopatre donated his studio and most of his sculpture collection to the City of Paris.  Additional donations throughout the years have brought an astounding number of works to the museum:  2000 plaster sculptures, 2200 bronzes, 198 paintings, 6000 graphics 13,000 photographs and Bourdelle's personal collection.

This jewel of a museum is easily accessed by Metro and was a wonderful treat on a sunny day in Paris.  I snapped these photos while viewing the Madame Gres exhibition in the museum, shown in my last posting.  Many of the sculptures and bronzes are massive and overwhelming; others are sweet and life-sized. Open 10-6:00 every day except Mondays and holidays -- I recommend a visit to young and old!  Enjoy my photos and please subscribe at the top of this posting.  Thanks for looking!