Blog No. 232: Matisse's La Chapelle du Rosaire, Birds, Two Thai Salads,
Matisse's Chapel of the Rosary
I have my own list of "wonders of the world" and Matisse's La Chapelle du Rosaire in Vence, France is definitely near the top of my list. A small structure, its architecture, stained-glass windows, interior murals, ceramics, liturgical furnishings, and priests' vestments were the focus of Henri Matisse's life in his later years (1947-1951) and by his own admission, "his masterpiece, the crowning achievement of his career." I love everything Matisse did--his paintings, his sculptures and bas reliefs, his collage, but I have to agree--this is a crown jewel...
This chapel in southern France is small and open very limited hours to the public. I was lucky enough to show up when they had visiting hours (it is a working church) and my reaction upon entering was one of utter awe. My jaw fell and I gasped! The beauty of it, the simplicity, using just a few saturated colors: blue, green, yellow, black and white. It recalls the Japanese word shibui for me--a concept we don't have a single word for in English (and one of my dad, mid-century furniture designer Mel Smilow's favorite words) which describes a combination of simplicity and beauty. If you are ever in southern France, this chapel is a must see!
Birds
Going to be heading back to the New York City in a few days and what I am going to miss most about these delicious Maine mornings is sitting out on my deck, listening to the waves and enjoying the birdsong.
I've had the app BirdNet for a while now and can walk around, hear a song and record and idenitify the species. But recently my friend and yoga teacher Anne DeBevoise would come into class and recite a long list of all the birds she heard that morning. She told me about another app which is far superior to the one I had--it's called MERLIN. Who knew I too had this long list of birds as neighbors: Blue-Headed Vireo, Blackpoll Warbler, Black-Throated Green Warbler, Purple Finch, Yellow Warbler, Black-Capped Chickadee, Red-Eyed Vireo, Yellow-Rumped Warbler Gray Catbird, Cedar Waxwing, House Finch, American Goldfinch, American Robin, American Crow, Double-Crested Cormorant, Common Eider, Tennessee, Warbler, Dark-Eyed Junco, American Herring Gull, Common Loon, Osprey, Mourning Dove, Mallard, Chipping Sparrow, Northern Cardinal, Bald Eagle, Song Sparrow, Laughing Gull!!!! All ithis in the last day or two...
And then this morning, speaking of synchronicities, an email from my friend, astrologer Leslie McGuirk appeared in my inbox, sharing with me an entry from Moss and Fog, an amazing website with a story about an artist, Xavi Bou, who photographs bird flight. These cool images arrived at the perfect moment!
Have a look at Moss and Fog's story (courtesy the Audubon Society) and some of Bou's photos. And while you are at it, explore the amazing site Fog and Moss and about its founder Ben VanderVeen. They are kindred souls seeking, like me, to spread more inspiration and beauty in the world. I spoke to its founder Ben this morning and told him how impressed I was at what he has been putting together since 2009...
Two Great Thai Salads
CRUNCHY THAI STYLE SALAD
courtesy Kay Chun and the New York Times
Yield: 4 servings
INGREDIENTS
3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 tbsp lime juice
1 tbsp fish sauce
1 tbsp minced shallot
½ tsp minced garlic
1 serrano chile, thinly sliced
Kosher salt and pepper
8 oz asparagus, trimmed, halved lengthwise, thinly sliced at an angle
4 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
3 cups thinly sliced mixed vegetables (Your choice incl carrots, radishes and cucumbers)
½ cup coarsely chopped cilantro leaves
INSTRUCTIONS
1. In a large bowl, combine oil, lime juice, fish sauce, shallot, garlic and chile; season with salt and pepper. Whisk well.
2. Add the asparagus, tomatoes and other mixed vegetables and season with salt and pepper. Toss to evenly coat and let stand at room temperature for 5 minutes, tossing occasionally.
3. Fold in cilantro and serve.
BEEF PAPAYA SALAD
Courtesy Feast at Home
Marinade: Place garlic, chile, soy sauce, lime juice, honey, and oil in a mini food processor and process until smooth.
Place beef in a small baking dish, pour the marinade over, and turn to coat. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour. BR> Preheat the grill to medium-high or cook stovetop.
Veg Remove the beef from the marinade and season it with salt and pepper. Grill meat until charred and cooked to medium-rare doneness, about 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from grill and let rest 10 minutes before slicing into 1/4-inch thick slices.
Papaya Dressing:
In a small bowl, whisk together the shallot, chiles, mint, vinegar, sugar, and fish sauce. Set aside.
In another bowl, toss the lettuce leaves and watercress together and then arrange the mixture on a platter.
Combine the papaya and carrots in a medium bowl. Evenly distribute the papaya mixture over the lettuce. Drizzle with a few tablespoons of the dressing.
Arrange the steak on top and drizzle steak with some more dressing.
Garnish with chopped peanuts and cilantro.
Painting of the Week
Charity of the Week: American Civil Liberties Union
About The Author
New York City based contemporary artist, Pam Smilow, began writing the creative lifestyle blog “things we love” in an effort to foster a sense of community during times of isolation and reflection. To read more about her and her art, visit her website and check out the essay written by Frank Matheis entitled The Sophisticated Innocence of Pam Smilow.
I too visited Vence (about twelve years ago) and walked from our small b and b to the Matisse chapel with the hope of seeing the interior. Unfortunately, I did not have the luck you did and only experienced the site and exterior. Glorious…. Magical… one of the wonders of the world, as you said. Thank you for highlighting it in your post. Nancy, from Leaps of Imagination
Lovely personal essay by Pam Smilow, thanks!
There's no chance this correspondent will ever be in Southern Fance, but he's visited the Museum of Modern Art since he was little and its' door was on Manhattan's 52nd Street. As an officially confused male adolescent horse's rear end he would have lived permanently in the "Waterlilies" room in the new MOMA if it had been permitted.
Monet reached through time and calmed the rage in the brilliant surrounding, peaceful and immersing secular display. Matisse seems to have touched Pam Smilow, but in a very different context.
Years later, having somewhat grown up and briefly a NY photographer of art for the Museum of American Folk Art (MAFA) with Director Robert Bishop, yours truly was privileged to take pictures at Peggy and David Rockefeller's Manhattan home for their collection catalog. The two Waterlilies on the ground floor were stunning.
Time moves on
https://www.christies.com/en/events/the-collection-of-peggy-and-david-rockefeller/overview
(Price realized USD 84,687,500):