The Orangerie
May 23rd, 2005 | 03:55 PM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,019
Likes: 0
The Orangerie
Any recent news on whether or not the Water Lillies will ever again be open to the public in this decade?
Last I heard, the archaeologists were still excavating a Roman wall or some such ancient item.
Last I heard, the archaeologists were still excavating a Roman wall or some such ancient item.
Oct 30th, 2005 | 10:46 PM
#3
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Actually, the wall is not from Roman times, but more recent: it was part of the third (and last) phase of walls built to defend Paris, constructed in 1632-1637 during the reign of Louis XIII. Its purpose was to support an artillery platform during the Thirty Years War.
For more information on the Musée de l'Orangerie and its renovation project, try this URL:
http://www.discoverfrance.net/France...rangerie.shtml
The article includes details on the archaeological digs which have delayed the museum's re-opening. Excavations for the museum's expansion phase, which were intended to add gallery space and other facilities in the basement, led to the discovery of the wall.
It is likely that the wall will figure prominently in the new display area, affording the public a glimpse at a part of Paris history -- similar to the underground sections of the Louvre, and the Crypt at Notre Dame.
It's rather interesting that the discovery took the Ministry of Culture's architects by surprise, since there is ample historical documentation -- such as cartography of old Paris spanning the centuries -- showing where the defensive walls were located.
For example, if one superimposes some of these drawings over maps of present-day Paris, it is fascinating to see how the "Grands Boulevards" trace the outline of the old city's northern walls. The dividing line between the Tuileries Gardens and the Place de la Concorde is roughly equivalent to the western section of these walls. There were once some city gates located here: the Porte de la Conférence (built 1632, demolished 1730) and the older Porte de Saint-Honoré (built 1380, demolished 1636).
For more information on the Musée de l'Orangerie and its renovation project, try this URL:
http://www.discoverfrance.net/France...rangerie.shtml
The article includes details on the archaeological digs which have delayed the museum's re-opening. Excavations for the museum's expansion phase, which were intended to add gallery space and other facilities in the basement, led to the discovery of the wall.
It is likely that the wall will figure prominently in the new display area, affording the public a glimpse at a part of Paris history -- similar to the underground sections of the Louvre, and the Crypt at Notre Dame.
It's rather interesting that the discovery took the Ministry of Culture's architects by surprise, since there is ample historical documentation -- such as cartography of old Paris spanning the centuries -- showing where the defensive walls were located.
For example, if one superimposes some of these drawings over maps of present-day Paris, it is fascinating to see how the "Grands Boulevards" trace the outline of the old city's northern walls. The dividing line between the Tuileries Gardens and the Place de la Concorde is roughly equivalent to the western section of these walls. There were once some city gates located here: the Porte de la Conférence (built 1632, demolished 1730) and the older Porte de Saint-Honoré (built 1380, demolished 1636).
Oct 31st, 2005 | 04:20 AM
#5
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
According to the ministry of culture website, the Orangerie museum should reopen in May 2006.
I second Dfnet's comments on the (unexpected?) discovery of the wall, which sparked a controversy over how much of the surviving structure would be preserved and displayed in the new underground exhibition area included in the renovation project. The architects had to redesign that underground facility in order to accomodate some of the newfound vestiges, but the Paris Historical Society and other cultural lobbies are still very unhappy with it as I understand part of that structure will have to be torn down anyway.
I second Dfnet's comments on the (unexpected?) discovery of the wall, which sparked a controversy over how much of the surviving structure would be preserved and displayed in the new underground exhibition area included in the renovation project. The architects had to redesign that underground facility in order to accomodate some of the newfound vestiges, but the Paris Historical Society and other cultural lobbies are still very unhappy with it as I understand part of that structure will have to be torn down anyway.
