American Friends Musées d’Orsay et de l’Orangerie

12/10/2024

Yesterday morning, AFMO organized an exclusive patron pass tour of the exhibition “Harriet Backer (1845-1932). The music of colors” at .

Harriet Backer, a prominent Norwegian painter of the late 19th century, is celebrated for her rich, luminous use of color and her unique style that blends interior scenes with open-air painting. She drew inspiration from both the realist movement and the innovations of Impressionism, focusing on intimate depictions of domestic life and rural settings.

On display from September 24, 2024, to January 12, 2025, the Musée d’Orsay’s exhibition marks the first comprehensive presentation of Backer’s work in France, highlighting her contributions to Norwegian art and her connections with the Parisian avant-garde.

To support AFMO Year-end Appeal and to learn more about upcoming events and visits, please visit our website, linked in bio.

12/04/2024

On Tuesday morning, AFMO and Guillaume Fabius, curator of , welcomed our members for the exhibition “Heinz Berggruen, a dealer and his collection”.

From the early 20th century until his death in 2007, the German dealer-collector was a fixture in the Parisian art market. Buoyed by a robust network of artists, poets, dealers, historians, critics, and collectors, he amassed an impressive collection of masterpieces which he donated to the German state shortly before his death. This collection includes works by Picasso, Klee, Matisse, and Giacometti, which form the core of the Musée de l’Orangerie’s autumn exhibition. This vibrant exhibition showcases these artists through monographs and thematic displays, which reflect Berggruen’s personal affinities and choices.

For more information on upcoming AFMO activities and if you wish to support our 2024 Year-end Appeal, please visit our website, linked in bio.

12/01/2024

As we approaches the end of 2024, AFMO is ending an eventful season filled with remarkable moments. This year, AFMO’s year-end appeal campaign will support the newly bilingual “Holidays at the Orsay” (Les vacances à Orsay) program for budding artists and art amateurs, to be held during school holidays from Fall 2024 to Summer 2025. For more information, please visit our website, linked in bio.

2024 Holiday Season🎄🎉
The AFMO offices will be closed from December 21, 2024 to January 5, 2025.

If you are planning to travel to Paris and wish to join AFMO or renew your membership (and enjoy skip-the-line access to both museums and their exhibitions), please anticipate so the cards can be printed, mailed and delivered in due times.

Please remember to check the museums’ websites for opening hours: both Orsay and Orangerie museums will close early on December 24 and December 31. They will be closed on Christmas Day

11/26/2024

This November, AFMO had the privilege of hosting a series of events for our patrons. In Paris, we had the privilege od hosting two guided visits to the 2024 editions of and , both hosted at the newly reopened .

At the Musée d’Orsay, we explored the captivating exhibitions of Harriet Backer and Gustave Caillebotte. A moment of reflection followed as we paid our respects at the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial Cemetery, honoring the legacy of the American volunteers who served during WWI. In New York, welcomed our members, offering a perfect cultural prelude to the holiday season.

For more informations on upcoming AFMO tours and activities, or to support our 2024 Year-end Appeal, please visit our website. linked in bio.

11/04/2024

After an eventful gala weekend, AFMO members and patrons enjoyed exclusive visits to two remarkable exhibitions at Musée d’Orsay: “Caillebotte. Painting men”and “Harriet Backer. The music of colors”.

Gustave Caillebotte’s modern explorations of masculinity contrast beautifully with Harriet Backer’s intimate, luminous interiors, forming a unique dialogue that celebrates Impressionism’s far-reaching influence and innovation.

For more information about AFMO, please visit our website and other social medias, linked in bio.

11/01/2024

After a successful gala weekend, AFMO is delighted to announce an exciting lineup of exclusive tours and visits scheduled for November. Members and patrons will have the opportunity to engage with museums, galleries, and art fairs.

Stay tuned for more details, and don’t miss the chance to be part of these enriching cultural experiences with AFMO. For more info, visit our website and other social medias, linked in bio.

10/24/2024

As part of our annual celebration of French-American friendship, HE Denise Campbell Bauer welcomed us back to the US Ambassador’s residence for an exclusive cocktail event prepared by the students of

Merci to our sponsors for their continuous supports.

📸 , Francois-Xavier Watine

10/22/2024

From October 17th-20th, AFMO guests arrived from different corners of the world in celebration of and .

This year, the AFMO annual benefit weekend began with a welcome cocktail held at . The guests not only enjoyed an elegant reception, but also a private viewing of the newly opened “Heinz Berggruen. A Dealer and his Collection” exhibition.

We are very grateful for their continued supports.

10/02/2024

AFMO members are invited to a selection of events and private tours this October, including the AFMO annual benefit weekend.

For more information, please visit our website (link in bio).

09/19/2024

07/29/2024

Museum with a view. Celebrating Olympic friendship in style.

07/12/2024

2024, The Impressionist Season. Gustave Caillebotte (1848-1894). «Les Soleils, Jardin du Petit Gennevilliers»

Gustave Caillebotte, an important figure in the Impressionist movement, often drew inspiration from his surroundings, and his garden at Petit Gennevilliers was a frequent subject. This particular work captures the lush, natural beauty of the garden with meticulous detail, showcasing Caillebotte’s skill in rendering light and texture. The composition includes a house and other buildings in the background, adding a sense of depth and domestic tranquility to the scene.

Emile Zola’s notion that « the work of art is a corner of nature seen through a temperament » resonates deeply with Caillebotte’s approach. The painting renders a scene that goes beyond mere representation to express the personality and emotions of its creator.

For Caillebotte, the role of an artist, like that of the gardener, is as much to magnify as to subject nature to his well, paralleling the horticultural passions of his friend Claude Monet. Both artists shared an enthusiasm for gardening, which significantly influenced their artistic outputs, infusing their canvases with the colors and forms cultivated in their gardens.

From October 8th, 2024 to January 19th, 2025, Musée d’Orsay will present the exhibition « Caillebotte. Peindre les hommes”.

Credit: 2024, The Impressionist Season. Gustave Caillebotte (1848-1894). «Les Soleils, Jardin du Petit Gennevilliers». © Musée d’Orsay, Dist. RMN-Grand Palais / Patrice Schmidt

07/04/2024

Did you spot the AFMO Annual Benefit Weekend in the Wall Street Journal?

Get ready for an unforgettable experience in Paris from October 17-20, 2024. Celebrate art, culture, and French-American friendship while supporting the Musée d’Orsay and the Musée de l’Orangerie. Enjoy exclusive cultural tours, gourmet delights, and the glamorous Gala evening at the Musée d’Orsay. Don’t miss this chance to be part of something extraordinary.

Thank you to the Wall Street Journal for this special partnership and supporting AFMO’s mission!

To RSVP for the weekend gala and to learn more about AFMO events and activities, visit our website, linked in bio.

06/05/2024

AFMO’s benefit Weekend in Paris offers an unforgettable celebration of French-American friendship in support of the Musée d’Orsay and Musée de l’Orangerie. We invite you to join us for this year’s edition, from October 17 to 20, 2024.
This exclusive celebration will feature:

- Gala evening at the Musée d’Orsay
- Opening cocktail at Musée de l’Orangerie
- Friday luncheon at the Château de Bagatelle
- French-American friendship cocktail

Guests will enjoy numerous cultural highlights, including curatorial tours, French heritage savoir-faire, engaging conversations, exclusive walks, fairs, and art galleries.

Additional highlights include tours of iconic sites such as the Musée Marmottan Monet, Fondation Custodia, Château de Versailles, and Château de Bagatelle. The guest will also enjoy special experiences of cooking classes at Le Cordon Bleu, and a pastry session at L‘Ecole Ritz Escoffier.
AFMO’s Weekend in Paris is a fundraiser designed to support and contribute to the preservation, enrichment, and promotion of the Musées d’Orsay et de l’Orangerie, their collections and educational programs. In addition to celebrating art and culture, the foundation aims to highlight French-American friendship, fostering a deeper appreciation for shared cultural heritage and artistic excellence.
This is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich cultural tapestry of Paris. Secure your spot now and be part of this remarkable experience. Limited availability.

A portion of your weekend ticket is tax-deductible as a charitable contribution.
Visit our website, linked in bio (https://www.aforsay.org/save-date-1) to sign up.

We look forward to celebrating with you in Paris.

06/01/2024

As summer approaches, AFMO members are invited to a selection of events and private tours this June, including the AFMO Springtime Open House at Musée d’Orsay and two special day trips to Normandy.

For more information, please visit our website (link in bio).