Musée d'Orsay
The Musée d'Orsay building was originally a railway station; Gare d'Orsay. It included the Hôtel d'Orsay. Started in 1898, it was built for the 1900 Exposition Universelle. It was the terminus for the railways of southwestern France until 1939. After 1939 it was used for suburban service trains. In 1973 the station's hotel closed and shortly thereafter the beautiful Beaux-Arts station itself closed.
In 1977 the French Government decided to convert the station to a museum. The six year conversion to a museum began in 1980. French President François Mitterrand opened the museum on December 1, 1986. The museum holds mainly French art dating from 1848 to 1915, including paintings, sculptures, furniture, and photography, and is best known for its extensive collection of impressionist and post-impressionist art.
Read MoreIn 1977 the French Government decided to convert the station to a museum. The six year conversion to a museum began in 1980. French President François Mitterrand opened the museum on December 1, 1986. The museum holds mainly French art dating from 1848 to 1915, including paintings, sculptures, furniture, and photography, and is best known for its extensive collection of impressionist and post-impressionist art.
Paris, Musée d'Orsay, main hall terrace, Ugolino from 1882 to 1906, group linked plaster, by Auguste Rodin. Count Ugolino della Gherardesca (c. 1220 1289) was Count of Donoratico, an Italian nobleman, politician and naval commander. He was accused of treason and features prominently in Dante's Divine Comedy.
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