Redon

We're having a heat wave... so Kat organised Margaret (driving), Hilary and me to a trip to the Abbey Fontfroide to see the library. Every so rarely it is opened to show the two three-panelled paintings of Odilon Redon commissioned for the space- unmissable for the kulture vultures of Tilling.
Not a chance of taking photos so Ive lifted the top pic from a brochure and t'other from their website - Apollos chariot raising the dawn. One side of the room has a 'dark' pic, the other the Apollo 'light' one. Both full of Redon's customary occult references, so private as to be baffling though some references clearer than others. Was delighted to see a little copy of Paul Gauguins self portrait nestling in a tree and we were told that another portrait floating about was of Debussy. Over the entrance was the enigmatic head in light that might be christ but is adopting an alchemical sign, which is echoed by the charcoaly portrait in the shadows of the dark pic, perhaps a mirror - etc etc. Lots of fun.
The rest of the abbey is beautiful though stark and our tour kept us all day, running ahead of the guide and the group to grab what little seating was available. Dunno about the other three but I was a damp rag when we got home.
The library was opened to support a show of Redons work in Montpelier which has reached us from the Grand Palais in Paris; see www.museefabre.fr and of course www.fontfroide.com

Thanks Kat, brill idea and to the others for an unforgettable day out. Take care in the heat y'all, its going to be a scorcher this weekend.