“Deux femmes assises dans un jardin” (two women sitting in a garden), France, between 1859 and 1910, by Eugène Trutat, via Bibliothèque de Toulouse Commons on flickr.
On this clipped green throne, she could take in the sun and still be protected from the chilly winter or early spring breezes.
We can make do with so little, just the hint
of warmth, the slanted light.— Molly Fisk, from “Winter Sun“
Staying in France a little longer: The city of Lyon has two excellent museums located side-by-side on the Rue de la Charité in the Presqu’île area.
The Decorative Arts Museum is housed in the Hôtel de Lacroix Laval, built by Jacques Germain Soufflot in 1739.
Its windows overlook a small traditional parterre — or would, were they not covered by protective shades and gorgeous silk drapes.
The boxwood hedges are laid out in concentric triangles, punctuated by clipped balls. Ivy fills the centers, and acuba is planted at either end of the space.
Inside, the museum displays beautiful complete rooms of paneling, lighting, and furniture taken from 18th c. French residences, as well as ceramics and silver.
Next door, The Textile Museum exhibits clothing, tapestries, and carpets — from ancient Egypt and Asia to modern France.
I nearly had a religious experience in its gallery of silk Persian garden carpets hung against deep gray walls.
While I was in the garden, I also remembered the triangular patterns in the Rwandan Royal Palace garden in Nyanza.
enclos*ure 