Saturday, October 16, 2010

Bath England by Margot Justes






















We're working on updating my website to include a page on Bath, England, and of course I have pictures.

An astounding, historical city where you can actually see the two thousand year old Roman Baths when visiting the museum, and while there you can walk over Roman lead pipes that provided water to the baths.
Till Next Time,
Margot Justes
A Hotel in Paris

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Stranger Than Fiction by Margot Justes

The thing about writing is that you have to do it well enough for the reader to 'suspend disbelief' at least that is what I've been told. Except in the James Bond type thrillers, paranormal and practically every other genre. I'm convinced that the 'suspend the disbelief' axiom is very subjective just like the agent, editor selection of a manuscript.

In many cases truth is stranger than fiction. Consider this, a story I recently read on Yahoo.com about an art treasure found in a Parisian home that had been uninhabited for 70 years, the rent has been paid, but no one stepped foot in the ritzy apartment for 70 years. The cobweb ridden place was locked up tight filled with art, books and furniture.

The owner was the granddaughter of Marthe de Florian, a muse for artist Giovanni Boldini. The granddaughter left the apartment after World War II and never returned, locking one of Boldini's paintings, along with a love note to Marthe de Florian in the apartment.

Recently after her death, the apartment was opened and among the trove one stood out, Boldini's painting of "a woman in a pink muslin evening dress" was worth a great deal of money, it sold for 2.9 million dollars.

Giovanni Boldini was born in Ferrara, Italy in 1842 and died in Paris in 1931. He is best known for portraits and did a masterful one of Giuseppe Verdi. I love it, it's stark and the face is so well done that it draws you right in, it's vivid and enthralling. Almost as if you feel the loss at never having met the composer.

Boldini worked on landscapes as well but his claim to fame was in portraiture.

Now comes the best part, no one knows why it's been locked up for 70 years...so writers and readers alike, let your imagination soar as mine did. What mystery lies beneath the locked Parisian apartment?

Till next time,
Margot Justes
www.mjustes.com
A Hotel in Paris

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Paris by Margot Justes











A few times a year, especially in the fall I get an urge to go to Paris and visit old friends. The Winged Victory at the Louvre is by far my favorite piece there. It is magnificent, and perfectly placed, a wide staircase lead you to the masterpiece.

Not to be missed is the Rodin Museum, my ultimate favorite museum.
A glass wall with the backs of the Burghers of Calais greet you as you approach the entrance to the museum. A most remarkable and original enticement to a museum.
The Gates of Hell hail you as you enter and as you leave. And in the meantime you will be a guest in his home and gardens.
Visiting this museum feels like you're meeting old friends and as if Rodin never left, his spirit is still present in every single piece, finished or unfinished.
For me it is one of the most serene places I have ever been to...if you're on your way to Paris do not miss this amazing museum, and please say 'hi' to my old friends.
Till next time,
Margot Justes
A Hotel in Paris