Treasures of the Musée D'Orsay, authored by former director of the Musée Françoise Cachin, is one solution to resolve our dilemma in planning a meaningful visit to this great institution.

The author in her introduction introduces us to the most important artworks of the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist eras. While we take this journey, we are also made aware of the fact that the museum was a train station and a hotel that were classified as historical monuments in Paris, and as a result were spared demolition.

The museum houses the works of artists born between 1820 and 1870, with some exceptions. It is also explained to us that the Musée d'Orsay, insofar as its paintings are concerned, is to be placed between the Louvre, which houses artworks before 1820, and the Beaubourg Museum, which prides itself with works, executed after 1870.

What is interesting about the book is that the author gives us a detailed tour of the museum and this is what will make an ultimate tour to this great institution invaluable.

Cachin leads us by the hand from one section of the museum to another where we discover Realism on the first floor; the Ingrism and Romanticism as well as social scenes by Daumier and highlights of Manet, Monet, Renoir, Sisley and Cezanne in the upper gallery; awesome statute surrounded by a steel architecture in the middle floor; and Winslow Homer and other foreign artists in the esplanade.

Another vital aspect about this beautiful book is that the co-author, Xavier Carrère, presents background information and concise essays pertaining to each and every one of the periods.

It is also breathtaking to view the many photographs of just about every aspect of the museum's collection - oil paintings; sculpture, decorative arts, pastels, drawings and watercolors, architecture and photography that are all well represented in the book. What is also noteworthy is that the volume contains several works that may not even be on display when you personally visit the Musée as they are constantly being rotated in order to preserve them.

Françoise Cachin and Xavier Carrère have reached their goal of preserving vivid memoirs of the quality and variety of works seen at the Musée d'Orsay. They have also provided the reader with an extensive index that will facilitate the viewing of a work of art within the book as well as in person at the Musée. If you want to save steps and enjoy the Musée, read this book before visiting.

"Copyright 2002, Bookideas.com. Originally published at Bookideas.com"