Musee L'Orangerie, Paris

One of my personal favourite art galleries in Paris, is 'Musee L'Orangerie', which is perhaps best regarded for its exquisite collection of Monet's renown 'Waterlilies'. In addition to these glorious pieces, are countless impressionist and post-impressionist masterpieces, featuring work by artists such as Cezanne and Renoir, rendering the gallery a perfect historical slither of these catalytic art movements, and offering an in depth glimpse into the artists who created it.

I don't think that I'm alone in saying that the Monet exhibition was my favourite part. The sheer size of the pieces instantly strike you as you enter the oval rooms in which they are displayed, and you are surrounded with colour and texture and beauty. The soft blue hues offer a peaceful atmosphere in the room, making it easy to lose an entire day there, entranced by the blotches of paint and light. It is striking how Monet managed to capture such detail and tone in his scenes, without overusing 'traditional' shadowing and shaping methods, but rather by expressing the very impression in which they gave, allowing the audience to view the pond as if through a hazy fog, or tired eyes.

Using my sketchbook, and a selection of water-toned oil pastels, I replicated a small section of one of the works, where a tree dipped into the water, getting lost in the ripples and dapples of sunlight. I found it rather difficult to use such simplicity to create such a depth of emotion, having to think hard ab

out which highlight went where, to perfectly show form without shape. It caused me to further appreciate Monet's skill, especially since his was done on such an immense scale.

Furthermore, Musee L'Orangerie houses a collection of work by one of my favourite artists, Matisse. It is always such a privilege to see ones most beloved art pieces in real life, particularly

viewing where each brush stroke landed and each slight mistake was covered and adapted. 'Odalisque with Red Trousers' is a great example of being able to see the artists thought processes in the art, and it almost helps the viewer the understand Matisse more and think of him as a real person, as opposed to just the incredible historical figure that he is.