Paris is well known for its architectural splendor, and one highlight I experienced was a visit to the Musee d’Orsay, situated on the left bank of the Seine. It is housed in the former Gare d’Orsay, a Beaux-Arts railway station built between 1898 and 1900. The museum holds mainly French art dating from 1848 to 1915, including paintings, sculptures, furniture, and photography. It houses the largest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist masterpieces in the world, by painters including Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir, CÉzanne, Seurat, Sisley, Gauguin and Van Gogh.
I was most impressed with not only the artworks, but the architecture of the building itself both inside and out. One particular highlight was the clock that adorned the inside of the main section of the museum. This is the original clock that was used when the station was in operation. The physical size and ornateness of the piece had me in awe, and I stood looking at it for at least 20 minutes. To me it looked like a large fob watch and I imagined commuters keeping an eye on it as they were passing through to catch their trains.
Back in the time when a watch was a sign of affluence these timepieces must have been a great show of wealth.
This clock in Chester England was erected on the cities two thousand year old Roman Walls at about the same time as your example.
Now THAT’S a clock, Garry….sensational!
Since we’re on turn-of-the-last-century clocks, here are a couple more. The first is the facade clock of the Musee d’Orsay itself, seen from the inside looking out over the Seine, and the second is a detail of the clock tower designed by Lluis Domenech i Montaner for the Sant Pau Hospital in Barcelona. Just clockin’ in…
This was one of my favorite museums in Paris. It is absolutely gorgeous like Islandman said. I love impressionist art and this place had quite a bit. I look forward to going back again one day. Thanks for the wonderful memories.