Saturday, December 12, 2009

Grisaille

Grisaille: a French term for a painting done in monochrome: generally in shades of brown or gray. These wallpaper panels in the 18th century section of the Louvre's Musee des Arts Decoratifs fit the bill nicely. These are obviously LATE 18th century as they are done in a neoclassical style that crossed over into the early 19th century.
I hope everyone has a relaxing early holiday weekend and stays warm! Winter is here (or at least it feels like it!).

20 comments:

lady jicky said...

I am relaxing this weekend but... as I am in another part of the world - its warm here! LOL

Hot chocolate for you! LOL Gin and tonic for me!

Josje said...

I just happenend to be looking at some grisaille paintings in 18th century Dutch houses for a little project I am working on. Interesting to see them as wallpaper panels.

Thanks again for letting me use one of your photographs!

Josje

Things That Inspire said...

I missed this area of the Louvre - but I will readily admit that I did the '10 things you must see at the Louvre' tour. Beautiful pictures.

Lize said...

They were expert draughtsmen/women! Todays artist are usually totally lacking in that discipline. WHAT A PITY because it is beautiful.

(IN)DECOROUS TASTE said...

With a wind-chill of something like 15 degrees yesterday in NYC, it most certainly DID feel like winter!

Also, I love the grisaille panels in the second image. What a great idea for a room without moldings...

Lauren

David said...

Keep warm Stefan! Hoping for enough sun here to melt off the snow.

Dumbwit Tellher said...

The panels are exquisite. I love their monochrome, subtle effect.
You stay toasty too. It's even cool here in Houston but so pleased to be wearing some wool & drinking hot choc. again ~ Cheers!

ArchitectDesign™ said...

LJ -my favorite drink! Enjoy with extra lime!

Josje, can't wait to hear more about your research!
TTI - we did the opposite -i missed the main Louvre! I think we both need another trip back!

Lize -the skill needed for such things truly is amazing -i'm jealous!

indecorous - it's a great idea for any type of room in my opinion LOL -but yes it would add instant 'architecture' in a beautiful way!

David -at least you have pretty snow to look at! Gives you lots of time to work on the inside of your new house!

DT - cold in houston?! amazing! Global warming at work -haha.

Greet Lefèvre said...

I always have loved grisailles! Indeed in the 18th century there were a lot of grisailles! I love them a lot!
Thank you for sharing!

Greet

Kwana said...

It sure is feeling like winter. Thanks for the beautiful images.

Vintage Living Magazine said...

Those beautiful monochrome canvases have a a beautiful, aged quality, giving the illusion of a historic patinae.

Absolutely lovely artwork! Thanks so much for sharing. :-)

Shannon

the.neo.lifestyle said...

Grisaille= very very nice, i would like a whole room of them one day :-)

Thanks for sharing,

David

design dossier said...

Hey there!

It's been a while...funny how this term means paintings in monochromes usually in grays and browns much like today's black & white and sepia tone photographs. Love it!

Have a warm and beautiful Holidays!

My Notting Hill said...

Very nice. Although they are quite old, they look so contemporary. As Design Dossier mentioned - reminds you of the today's sepia tone photographs. You've got me thinking about taking some images and photoshoping them into gray tones.

Lauren said...

so BEAUTIFUL!!!

Renée Finberg said...

thank you.
i need to put all the information that my (computer chip) 'chip' can handle.

as always....great post.

xx

Reggie Darling said...

Hullo Architect:
These grisaille panels are from the wallpaper series "Cupid and Psyche" originally produced by Dufour in 1817. Dufour restruck the series a number of additional times in the 19th century. Zuber currently produces several of these panels, but they are silk screened, whereas the originals were made using blocks of carved wood.

Tricia said...

Love grisaille. We almost did an amazing grisaille mural in a client's home when I was at SB. The mock-up's were stunning.

Tricia said...

Love grisaille! When I was at SB we proposed a gorgeous grisaille mural for a client's dining room. They didn't do it, but the artist's mock-up was incredible!

Julio Muao said...

Happy holidays Stefan!

Another great post. I also love grisaille. I told my partner Dan that when we redo our dining room, I want it to include grisaille. Thanks for the images and inspiration.