The Stein Salon~ 27, rue de Fleurus

This weekend (July 27) marked the date of the passing of Gertrude Stein in 1946. 

And it was here at 27, rue de Fleurus near the Luxembourg Gardens

that she lived with her brother, Leo, who was the impetus behind their shared collection of art

from some of the best 20th century painters. 

As a very young woman,

Stein had attended the Saturday night salons of Baltimore's Cone sisters, Claribel and Etta,

wealthy socialites and collectors of modern French art,  

and here at 27 rue de Fleurus, where she and her brother lived together 

from 1903 to 1914, Stein began her own literary salon.

On Saturday nights here in Paris,

one could expect to see the paintings of

 Bonnard, Picasso, Cezanne, Renoir, Matisse and Toulouse-Lautrec among others. 

As well, one could hold conversation with regulars like

Picasso, Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Lewis, Joyce, Pound, Wilder and Matisse. 

Alice B. Toklas moved in and became Gertrude's lifelong partner in 1910.

She also became the hostess for Gertrude's literary salons,

keeping the women guests in the kitchen 

because Gertrude refused to have them in the same room with the men, 

where she spent her time. 

 While Leo was the more discerning art critic and buyer

(though it's said that Gertrude later took credit),

Henry McBride, Art Critic of the New York Sun, was quoted as saying that Gertrude

"collected geniuses rather than masterpieces. She recognized them a long way off." 

Unfortunately, when Leo and Gertrude decided to part company

in terms of their co-habitation,

that included their contact with each other. 

When Leo left in 1914 and they split their collection, 

they did not see each other again for 30 years, 

and then briefly meeting accidentally on the street. 

They never spoke again.

As always when I decide on a post topic

(often according to my Paris photo collection),

I learn something new about my subject. 

Among the many comments about Gertrude Stein's writing

(her brother called it 'an abomination'),

some deem her inept in her ability

while others consider her apparent inability to communicate a deficiency
"to deal effectively with language, so that she made her greatest weakness
into her most remarkable strength."

What higher praise for an artist!?

For more American Writers in Paris Tour posts,
Click Here, Here,  and Here. 

(Photos copyright: Kirsten Steen) 

Info details thanks to Wiki