During our last stay in Paris, we visited the Marché aux Puces, Paris's most famous flea market located in the 18th arrondissement. There are 2,500 to 3,000 open stalls and shops selling everything from antiques to junk. It is a complex labyrinth between the stalls which ultimately leads you to a new discovery at each twist and turn. We spent hours just enjoying every single object that caught our eye, but nothing prepared us for the hidden treasure we came across among a grouping of framed drawings in an art dealer's stall. A sanguine chalk drawing study by Jules-Élie Delaunay not only caught our eyes, but it captured our hearts as well. Jules-Élie Delaunay (1828-1891) was a French painter who studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Some of his commissioned works include the three panels of Apollo, Orpheus, and Amphion at the Paris Opera House. He was a very accomplished and talented artist which is evident in this exquisite study we happened upon on that very cold Saturday morning in November 2007. Although she has left her beloved Paris origin behind, she is now part of our family, and we lovingly gaze upon her ethereal beauty morning, noon and night.
aw darn, I've been to flea markets in France before but I don't think it was that one...will have to check it out, and that art is lovely.
ReplyDeleteOh the excitment when you happen upon something like this. Wow!
ReplyDeletexoxo
An enchanting passionate drawing!
ReplyDeleteShe is glorious, Melissa! How perfect to have found her the way that you did. xoxo
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your fabulous find. I'm going to paris this weekend :D maybe i will visit this market. Maybe i will find something lovely to look at me from my walls ;)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous find. Travel presents to oneself are always the best! x Julie
ReplyDeleteI would love to check out that flea market. Btw, I mentioned you on my blog today, regarding The Sweet Life in Paris.
ReplyDeleteHave a great day! xoxo
Lovely...the drawing is amazingly beautiful...I would so love to be wondering the flea markets of Paris with you!
ReplyDeleteAmazing find...this is one of the reasons I absolutely love treasure hunting, you just never know what you are going to find!
ReplyDeleteI would kill to go there! Ah, Paris, you hold my heart.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous find! Ahh, Paris, tu me manques!
ReplyDeleteEvery time you post something about Paris, my heart alternately sinks and soars - I want to be there. I love finding those treasures that become part of the "family" - this one is stunning.
ReplyDeleteWhat a prize! I always say... follow your heart and new doors will open and lead you to pure bliss... You and your husband must be sitting in heaven as you truly walk through the most beautiful doors...
ReplyDeletexo's
Janet
Sweet bod! She's gorgeous.
ReplyDeletewow, it's amazing and that contour line is just beautiful!
ReplyDeletegorgeous!!! what a find.
ReplyDelete3,000 open stalls of hidden treasures! Sounds like heaven to me.
ReplyDeleteCheers.
That's a lovely drawing- very good quality, the highlights are so soft.
ReplyDeleteI love doing that kind of life-drawing myself.
Thanks for sharing.
Florrie x
Have been there but was not as lucky as you to find such a wonderful drawing...although I remember that we did have a delicious lunch!!!!!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for your good wishes for the speedy recovery of my sickly computer !!! I have managed to prise my daughters computer from her hot little hands for half an hour so that I can do a bit of commenting. Will try to comment but if I don't you will know why. Hopefully, I will get mine back soon. XXXX
I love treasures and you have definitely found a gem. Enjoy! xoxo
ReplyDeletesuch a beautiful piece!
ReplyDeleteWOW! what a find! something you can pass on as well to your daughter. you would need hours to stroll through place like that. some day we'll go back. we had our 10 month old with us and well, he was not so keen on strolling through endless shops like that.
ReplyDeletePassionate indeed ~~ Ahh... to be in Paris!
ReplyDeleteOMG it all sounds soooo amazing...terribly jealous over here!!!!!
ReplyDelete:) T
I've yet to come across a find this fabulous on my treasure hunts but can understand the glee. Beautiful study in chalk. I'm surprised it's intact and am curious about the paper?
ReplyDeleteSimply lovely!!!
ReplyDeleteMy...even the color is perfect!
Mel, I get butterflies just thinking about the fabulous shops darling! I hope to be there again...
ps: thank you so much for your kind words to me & my baby...I appreciate them beyond words ~XO* will have to do for now
How amazing!! I wish I could go back to Paris again soon!
ReplyDeleteWhat an outstanding chalk drawing, and the Marché aux Puces sounds fantastic.
ReplyDeleteAh seems like so many wonderful things are found in Paris! x
ReplyDeleteShe is divine Mel.
ReplyDeleteI have had to cancel....though I prefer postpone my trip to France this year but its tales like this that make my heart dance a little bit faster in anticipation of when I finally get there!!
Lovely, and the history too.
ReplyDeletebeautiful.
ReplyDeletebeautiful.
what a beauty! the paris flea market has been calling my name for too long now!
ReplyDeleteOh wow! What a wonderful drawing you found! A treasure!! I have never been to that market and want to go so badly.
ReplyDeleteHi, Mel! Just writing to let you know, you've been featured in the Summer's Stunners: Drinks Special today! Thank you for sharing such a yummy recipe!
ReplyDeleteCheers.
I miss Paris and have always JUST missed the flea market while there.
ReplyDeleteI love HIDDEN treasures and in a northern France establishment was able to discover a first edition Byron.
More on Paris please, the book recommendation alone has been bookmarked.
Gorgeous painting! I love the marche aux puces, but I must confess - I do find it a bit overwhelming at times. But there's nothing better than digging for hidden treasures. Thanks for sharing yours :)
ReplyDeleteMy level of envy right this moment is simply immeasurable!!! Such a beautiful painting! I would love a chance to have few hours in this market. Congratulations on your marvelous find. You are one lucky girl!:-)))
ReplyDeleteHiya! thanks for you sweet comment! Soo lovely ! :)You have a stunning blog ! Love the pug I use to have one it was sooo sweet! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic find!!
ReplyDeletethat drawing is absolutely gorgeous and amazing! i am so glad you were able to make this yours! it is always fun to see art at galleries and museums, but it is REALLY SUPER to have art in your home. :)
ReplyDeletehow fun!!! i went to the Marche last time i was in Paris...so many little spaces to look through!! i ended up buying a little vintage crown that i just treasure.
ReplyDeletexox
i'd like that woman on my wall, please. and thank you thank you! for your divine comment on my poem. i feel so lucky to have readers who care about poetry.
ReplyDeleteI imagine thrifting in Paris is on a whole other level!
ReplyDeleteYou very very very lucky women! We'll go to Paris in November, and I'll drag my husband to Marché aux Puces. Again I need to thank you! xxx, Carmie.
ReplyDeleteThe experience of the travel is joy, and yet to experience it again in a sweet memory is, bliss.
ReplyDeleteHow I miss the marché au puces! I found a vintage locket necklace there as a teenager that I have always treasured. That sketch is gorgeous!!
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