“You look like a woman on a mission,” said the guard as I passed into the Tuileries exhibit – I was back for a second look at Camille Pissarro’s bird’s eye view paintings – delicate and atmospheric tracings of the changing seasons in the Garden.  Sit on the bench nearby, where you can also observe the sparkling, light-filled works of Childe Hassam and Gaston de LaTouche.  In the next room are lovely Gelatin Silver prints from the 1960’s ¬ 1980’s by Kertesz, Cartier-Bresson, Kenna, and Poncar that take you to serene, yet lonely places. 

Marble and bronze statues are an integral part of the Garden and of this exhibit – my favorites are Hippomenes (1712) and Atalanta (1704) in the midst of their footrace (we have the chance to see the originals, here).  Other pairs of statues illustrate popular mythology (the Fawn & Hamadryad, Vertumnus & Pomona) – but you must see them to feel their majesty.  There is a lot more to see in this exhibit at the Portland Art Museum, including etchings of a hot air balloon ascent (Ben Franklin was there), and political satire.  Perhaps I’ll see you there!