travels: paris, deyrolle – a cabinet of curiosities

Please see the previous post if you missed the introduction to this amazing shop in Paris.

Deyrolle is a cabinet of curiosities full of wonder and – when I walked into the entymology section – absolute delight! Underneath these display boxes are row upon row of drawers filled with specimens.

 

The specimens were not simply displayed as a collection. Each box, each display and framed piece on the wall was a work of art.

Of course I happen to think that the living insect world is full of tiny works of art all by themselves. I could have spent the entire day photographing every specimen they have.

What artist could create jewels as beautiful as these?

The artist Jean-Luc Maniouloux had several works on the wall that ought my eye. The shattered light bulb (is that a bee or a bullet?) was my favorite.

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=http://www.jean-lucmaniouloux.com/&prev=search

I could spend hours on the Deyrolle pinterest page.
Now I need a month or two of completely uninterrupted time in order to create a vast series of works celebrating the beauties of the insect world. Anyone want to come take my place for a while? Sigh. If only….