Paris Gallery

Ouida’s apartment on the Rue Gît-le-Cœur near Notre Dame Cathedral had a spectacular view of the Pont Neuf. Each morning she strolled through the flower market passing ornate buildings and barges along the Seine on her way to the Louvre. On her first trip, she kept prolific sketch books and produced many drawings and pastels. On subsequent trips, she brought her own oils and brushes which allowed her to paint Paris en plein air. Her extended stays in Paris greatly influenced her style especially the Musée du Jeu de Paume’s famous collection of Impressionists, now displayed at the Musée d’Orsay.  She was inspired traveling through the countryside to Renoir’s home at Cagnes-sur-Mer, Monet’s garden at Giverny, and following Van Gogh’s steps through Arles to Saint-Rémy and Bonnard’s  from Normandy to the French Riviera.