Un Bar aux Folies-Bergère, 1882

So I recently went to Paris and had the opportunity to see one of my most favorite paintings, Un Bar aux Folies-Bergère by Èduard Manet. I have always loved Manet’s work because he uses a lot of food, flowers and a bit of debauchery. This particular one especially resonates with me, because like the woman in the painting, I have always felt most comfortable, and happiest, in my apron serving food and drinks -whether at home or at the restaurant.

I have had many jobs involving food, but one of the most interesting ones was, like this little lady, as a barmaid (which is now called a server, but I rather like barmaid, don’t you?) at an old pub in Nantucket called “The Rose and Crown.”. And like the painting depicts in the right side, I served plenty of Bass Beer which I had no idea existed in 1882 until I saw it in this painting!

This particular barmaid is posing at the Folies-Bèrgere in Paris which was notorious for the access it gave to prostitutes-and it was a known thing that the barmaids were indeed themselves prostitutes (this is where I have nothing in common with her ). However, the writer Guy de Maupassant famously wrote that these barmaids were  “ vendors of drink and love.” That, I can relate to!  All of the details-from the lace to the champagne foil wrapping are all so exquisitely painted. This is one of the many pieces featured in the Courtauld Collection which is on loan from England. Paintings, prints and drawings ranging from Modigliani to Matisse. All beautiful in their own way, and definitely worth seeing.

This exhibit  will be open through June 17, 2019 and is presented at the Foundation Louis Vuitton located in the heart of Paris. Designed by Frank Gehry, the building is absolutely stunning and worth a visit. Be forewarned, the word is out and the lines can get long. However, you can get advanced tickets online, which makes getting in a breeze.

Here’s the link (click the EN on the upper left corner for instructions in English).

There is also a restaurant called Le Frank (picture shown below) that is a great option to stop for lunch or a coffee. Reservations can be made on the website above.