Grand Palais ↓
Inside the Grand Palais <The impressive glass ceiling that lets in light>
Let me explain about the Grand Palais, a famous landmark in Paris.
The Grand Palais (Grand Palace) was built as an exhibition center for the 1900 Paris World's Fair. It was built as a pair with the Petit Palais (Small Palace) opposite, sandwiched between the Seine River and the Champs-Élysées. After the fair, the Grand Palais became the Grand Palais National Gallery, the venue for various large-scale exhibitions. The ceiling of the Grand Palais is made of glass so that the art pieces can be viewed in natural light.
The Petit Palais is now the Museum of Fine Arts of the City of Paris and houses a permanent exhibition of fine art and classical furniture.
Petit Palais ↓
The magnificent entrance of the Petit Palais
The Pont Alexandre III, which connects the Grand Palais to the Eiffel Tower on the opposite bank, was also built over the Seine. The Pont Alexandre III is the most magnificent bridge in Paris, decorated with Art Nouveau street lamps and carvings such as angels on golden balustrades.
Pont Alexandre III over the Seine in Paris. The glass roof seen on the other side of the bridge is the Grand Palais.
Compare the composition of the original print by Michel Henry, available for purchase from the above site, with the composition of the above photograph. Enjoy the beautiful Grand Palais in Paris up close.
What is the connection between French painting master Michel Henry and the Grand Palais?
Michel Henry has been a member of the board of directors of the Salon d'Automne (Autumn Salon) for many years, serving as Secretary General from 1983 and Vice President from 1990.
The Salon d'Automne is one of France's prestigious salons (public exhibitions) that are considered to be on a par with Le Salon (the public exhibition of the French Society of Artists) and the Société National des Beaux-Arts, which are descended from the 17th century French Royal Salon, and has been held since 1904 as an avant-garde autumn salon in opposition to Le Salon, which is held in the spring and shows a conservative tendency. It began with the exhibition of Rouault, Matisse, Picabia, Bonnard, and others.
Michel Henry and Salon d'Automne President John McEvoy welcome the King and Queen of Iran to the Salon d'Automne in Iran.
The French Republic considered the arts to be an important and multidisciplinary industry, and therefore provided free venues for the Society of French Artists, the Salon d'Automne, the Société National des Beaux-Arts, the Salon des Indépendants, and the Salon des Comparaisons, as well as free offices in the Grand Palais.
French President Jacques Chirac visits the Salon d'Automne with Michel Henry
Each art group held salons (public exhibitions) and many art dealers provided opportunities for fans to visit and make sales. However, in 1993, the roof of the Grand Palais collapsed and the complex was closed.
When the cause of the fall was investigated, it was discovered that the foundation had become weak. Because the Grand Palais was built on the banks of the Seine, the water from the Seine had seeped into the foundation of the building, providing it with a moderate amount of moisture, but the concrete used in the construction of the expressway blocked the seepage of water from the Seine, causing the stone foundation to dry out and become brittle and easily breakable.
Michel Henry and his wife, Prime Minister Balladur, at the Salon d'Automne in 1993.
The Grand Palais reopened in 2003, so the renovation work took more than 10 years.
The closure of the Grand Palais made it difficult for each salon to secure an exhibition venue, which caused great damage to artists. The members gradually left the association, and as the association declined, famous artists who were executive members also left, leaving only unknown artists. I also went to see the Salon d'Automne in 1995, which was held in a tent near the Eiffel Tower.
Michel Henry and wife of Robert Bandoler, Minister of Health, at the Salon d'Automne in 1987
Michel Henry also played a major role as vice-president, but retired from the position in 1996.
Galerie Adeka had been planning to invite Michel Henry to Japan since 1995, and to organize an exhibition of his work every year, so it became easier to coordinate his schedule. I was delighted to see that Michel Henry was serious about working with us.
The original prints (silkscreens) of the Grand Palais, Paris 4-part series, were purchased directly from the publisher in Paris by Galerie Adeka and are sold at exhibitions in department stores and on Galerie Adeka's website. Please consider purchasing genuine original prints from Galerie Adeka, the Japanese distributor of Michel Henry.
Below is the Paris tetralogy.
Montmartre Sacré Coeur sales website
Eiffel Tower and Iris sales site ↓
Grand Palais sales page ↓
