Musee national Gustave Moreau (Gustave Moreau Museum), Paris

A sojourn to the abode and studio of the illustrious Gustave Moreau (1826–1898) is a truly exquisite experience. Revered as a high priest within the realm of Symbolist art, Moreau meticulously curated a mesmerizing gallery wherein his somber paintings, drawings, and sculptures would be showcased. The refurbished rooms on the first floor, which had long remained concealed from the public's eyes, now serve as a repository that chronicles the artist's profound "sentimental journey." Within their walls, one will encounter familial portraits and artworks proffered by intimate friends and allies such as Degas, Chassériau, and Fromentin, each with a distinctive artistic resonance.

Ascending to the two uppermost floors, one discovers Moreau's expansive, light-filled studios where hundreds of paintings, watercolors, and over 4,000 drawings converge, offering a panoramic vista of his multifaceted techniques and subjects. Some of these artistic compositions, evocative of raw potential, appear as though locked in an eternal state of unfinished creation, epitomized by the likes of the enigmatic “Unicorns” (#213), which draws its inspiration from the medieval tapestries displayed within the Musée de Cluny. Elsewhere, Moreau's interpretations of Biblical narratives and ancient Greek mythology seamlessly fuse flights of fantasy with a masterful command of color, shadow, and evocative tracings influenced by the artistry of Indian and Persian miniatures.

For the Symbolists, objets d'art held an indomitable allure, and Moreau was no exception. Inside his private apartment, nestled on the second floor, one finds oneself enveloped in a veritable cornucopia of curiosities. Here, amidst the labyrinthine sanctuary, bric-a-brac in all its charming splendor abounds, and artistry spills forth, adorning each inch of the surrounding walls, weaving an intricate tapestry that attests to Moreau's profound artistic fervor.