Visit the Jean Jacques Henner Museum
Categories : Exhibitions and Museums, published on : 5/15/18
Photo Credit : Oficiel Website © Hartl-Meyer
The Jean Jacques Henner Museum is near Parc Monceau and easily accessible from the Chess Hotel. This little-known museum is well worth a visit both for the beauty of the building it's based in, and for its interesting permanent collections and the current "Résonances" exhibition.
An artist's home
This magnificent, typically 3rd Republic mansion re-opens in May after an intense programme of renovation; parquet flooring and woodwork, walls that have been freshly painted in beautiful shades of yellow, red and ochre, perfectly polished stairs and sparkling chandeliers. The paintings of Jean-Jacques Henner along with various drawings from his collection hang everywhere. You'll also see furniture and objects from his era as you pass from the dining room to the columned lounge. You'll feel as if you're visiting a friend's house complete with painter's studio and beautiful garden.
Photo Credit : Oficiel Website © Hartl-Meyer
Two artists "in resonance"
Born in 1829 in southern Alsace, Jean-Jacques Henner rubbed shoulders with the Impressionists without deviating towards the period's new style. His paintings include landscapes, especially Alsatian but also Italian, intimate scenes, and portraits. His preference for the Italian Renaissance is evident in many of his works. A lover of feminine curves, he is known for his red silhouettes of women, some of whom he challenged the painter Eugénie Alméras to include in his own works. And it's the works of this young artist that you'll see in the current exhibition. Echoing the paintings of Jean-Jacques Henner, the references and tributes to the master are obvious. However, Eugénie Alméras's input is just as important and that's what makes this combined exhibition so interesting.
