Take a deep breath and “Cy.” Starting March 25, you’re breath will be taken away by the beauty of the Salle des Bronzes ceiling at the Louvre. For only the third time ever, a contemporary artist has been invited to install a permanent piece. This honor has been bestowed on Cy Twombly, one of America’s leading artists of his generation. This is also the first time since 1953 that a living artist’s work will adorn the ceiling of this iconic museum.
Born in Lexington, Virginia in 1928, Cy Twombly has lived in Italy since the late 1950s His artistic influence has clearly remained global. In 2001, Twombly received the prestigious “Golden Lion” award at the Venice Biennale. The Centre Pompidou presented a retrospective of the artist’s graphic works in 2004, And commemorating Twombly’s 80th birthday in 2008, the Tate Modern presented a major retrospective of the artist’s work, including nearly 400 paintings, drawings and sculptures- an exhibition that traveled to the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao in 2009. And so it came to be that a committee of international experts selected Twombly to paint this ceiling.
For the Salle des Bronzes, Twombly’s work will be painted in oil on strips of connected canvas, which will then be glued to the ceiling. It’s a process known as marouflage, which was common in Europe in 16th to 19th centuries. Unlike most famous ceilings including Michelangelo’s at the Sistine Chapel, Twombly’s work will be simple, and likely not romanticized. That’s not to say that Twombly’s work doesn’t stir the soul. In fact, in 2007 police arrested a woman who kissed an all-white Twombly painting with red lipstick.
It’s springtime in Paris. Incredible art, impeccable wine, and always good conversation. Won’t you join in?
- Getting There: Once you’re in Paris, the subway stations Palais Royal – Musee du Louvre or Tuileries can take you to The Louvre.
- Museum Hours: Open daily (except Tuesdays) from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and until 10 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays.
- Psst: Why wait on line for tickets? With the Paris Pass enjoy priority admission and free access to 50 museums, castles, gardens, cathedrals and monuments in and around Paris, at no extra charge.
Written by Renate, a veteran Rail Europe Employee and native Netherlander. She’s here to give you the inside track on what makes her country so special – and just 30 minutes away from Holland’s cultural epicenter.
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