Art Deco mural in Paris.

A customer called the other day and bought every sheet of aluminium silver leaf that we had in stock. We emptied the shop, the store room and even raided my teaching supplies to help her out. I would like to think that this is what she might be doing with it all...

Let me introduce you to the silver leaf ball room at the Musee Carnavalet Paris. This is just one of the many treasures that make this fabulous and free museum one of my hot spots of Paris.

The artist has painted a scene of festivity onto a silver leafed back ground. The whole thing is lacquered and shiny. Because I was photographing without flash in a dark room sans tripod only a few of my pictures were sharp enough to use but here are some details. Click on the picture to see more.

The ceiling mural shows rope hoisting silk swags into a series of patterns allowing swags, curtains and an asencion way to the to the heavens.

The style is art deco with a nod to Chinoiserie and exoticism. There are men riding ostriches and monkeys reading books. There is much strenuous blowing of wind instruments. The room originally resided at an hotel in Paris and is one of the many rescued rooms at the Musee Carnavalet.

There are acrobats in harem pants and curly slippers.

I'm not quite sure what is happening in this one but it involves a naked woman sitting in a sea shell getting a pedi.

I have often stencilled onto metallic leaf. The result can be stunning. I use fluid acrylic paint and if I find the the paint is not keying to the metallic surface then a tiny amount of liquid soap on the stencil brush will usually solve the problem. We will have metal leaf back in our shop any day now.....so if you fancy creating your own ball room....

Helen

Posted at 11:14 AM in Inspiration, Travel | Permalink