Montreal Fine Arts Museum

My recent trip to the Musee Des Beaux-Arts De Montreal was a jaw-dropping experience. Museums are almost always a pleasure to take in. My reason for visiting was to view the Napoleon exhibit made possible through the enormous collection of Ben Wieder. Man, did he make a killing with bodybuilding! The objects on display were extensive and, without a doubt, tres, tres cher. Behind glass case were the very boot, silk shirt, writing case, and famous broadside hat of Napoleon Bonaparte. There was also a locket of his hair which was once owned by writer, George Sands. Among the many portraits, paintings, and busts of the French emperor were also several pieces of Napoleonic objects, things which came into fashion or a new design during his reign, such as ornamented clocks, candy jars, cookware, sitting chairs.

After pulling myself from the Napoleon exhibit I viewed some of the museum's permanent collection. Pierre-Eugene-Emile Herbert's terracotta sculpture "Et Toujours!! Et Jamais!!" (Forever!! Never!!; 1860) reminded me of biker paraphernalia and porn: a young, curvaceous woman being groped by an unrelenting old, scary-looking bastard; in this case, Death.

Jacques-Louis Gaither's bronze sculpture, "Mephistopheles" (1st version) has to be the inspiration behind many a pimp's image. Click picture for better viewing.


My personal favorite was James Tissot's oil painting, "October" (1877). In it we see a beautiful lady in beautiful coat and dress creeping through the park of fallen leaves with a tattered book tucked under her arm. I stared at the painting, pacing to and fro. I heard not a crackle of the leaves but only the flowing russle of her clothes.
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