Dreams and Reality: Masterpieces of Painting, Drawing and Photography from the Musée d’Orsay, Paris

Regrettably, i know next to nothing about paintings - having no physical exposures to these seriously good art pieces. Am thus often perplexed by collectors who blew fortunes over them, bidding sky high for renowned collections.

Most probably for investment value? But visit to the gallery today teaches otherwise - it is truly inspiring and most pleasurable experience to view such fine artistry of the times! Nothing's like viewing the real thing physically.

This Lunar New Year, the National Museum of Singapore offers 4 days of free entry to the exhibit of these prized collections from Musee d' Orsay, Paris. Many like myself were privileged to view, at no cost.

And i am grateful that some of the collections; and stories behind the paintings, really tug at the heart. I know next to nothing about paintings, but the emotions were very much stirred by these framed motionless.

The ability to paint is a gift; while you can be anybody to appreciate the paint works - of Dreams and Reality.

The Knight of the Flowers by Georges Rochegrosse, 1892

"Parsifal, the chaste hero, resists the temptations of flower-maidens in his path, thanks to his coat of silver amour which reflects and annihilates all the demons."

The Enigma by Gustave Dore, 1871

"The Franco-Prussian War. The battle is over, and atop a hill strewn with bodies, stands a sphinx overlooking the scene. In the distance, smoke rises from a city (Paris) set alight by enemy fire. Under the dark sky, a winged woman is in tears and questions the sphinx in vain for an explanation of the chaos and horror of war, but the sphinx remains silent."

The Dubourg Family by Henri Fantin-Latour, 1878

Young Woman on the Jetty by Philip Wilson Steer, 1888-1889

A Box at the Theatre des Italiens by Eva Gonzales, 1875-1878

The Ball by Felix Vallotton, 1899

The Lady with the Glove by Carolus-Duran, 1869

The Cardplayers by Paul Cezanne, 1890-1895

Starry Night over the Rhone by Vincent van Gogh, 1888-1889

Having hold 24 paintings of Vincent van Gogh, the Musee d'Orsay bought with them one of his precious work - Starry Night over the Rhone. 

Quoting him, "For my part, i know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream." And he does make reality, his dream.