10 June 2024: Galerie de Géologie et de Minéralogie
A Gem of a Museum
All the well-known museums were either shut today (Monday) or booked out.
Gone are the days you could turn up and wait a reasonable time (sometimes longer) in a queue. Now you have to book online, often for a particular time slot and a few days in advance.
Cathy had what turned out to be the brilliant idea of visiting the Galerie de Géologie et de Minéralogie in the Jardin des plantes. No booking necessary.
This gallery has an impressive display of rocks and minerals. So many colours and textures.
Earth’s geosphere is infinitely varied, patterned and layered. I am reminded of the frost heave patterns we saw at Dettifoss waterfall in Iceland caused by the freeze-thaw cycles of ice and soil.
Highlights Slideshow
Jardin des Plantes
This jardin is the main botanical garden in France. It’s well worth a visit in its own right. It has a history going back to the 17th century and there’s so much to see.
Jardin des plantes (wikipedia)
Within the garden are:
- the Grande Galerie de l’Évolution (‘Gallery of Evolution’) — originally Galerie de Zoologie (‘Gallery of Zoology’),
- the Galerie de Paléontologie et d’Anatomie Comparée (‘Gallery of Paleontology and Comparative Anatomy’).
- the Galerie de Botanique (‘Gallery of Botany’) and the
- Galerie de Géologie et de Minéralogie (‘Gallery of Geology and Mineralogy’)
Under French law these galleries, which were inaugurated in the 19th century, are considered as museums.
There are many statues scattered around the garden. Here is one I encountered along the way.
Charles-Louis Dupaty (1771-1825) – Venus Genitrix (1810)
An example of 19th-century neoclassical art.
Venus Genetrix represents the Roman goddess Venus in her role as the mother and protector of the Roman people.
The title “Genetrix” translates to “mother” or “ancestress,” highlighting her significance in Roman mythology as the progenitor of the Roman race through her son Aeneas.
In this aspect, Venus is often depicted with attributes symbolising fertility, motherhood, and beauty. (AI)
The pose is interesting (and not typical of other examples I found online). I’ll leave you to speculate on what’s going on here.
- Venus Genetrix (wikipedia)
- Charles Dupaty (wikikpedia)
The Galerie de Géologie et de Minéralogie
The gallery was built in 1833 and inaugurated in 1837.
The gallery website says:
They are the envy of many…
The collections of this Gallery, among the oldest and most prestigious in the world, include Martian meteorites, giant crystals, rocks and admirable minerals.
Precious specimens that tell the story of the Earth and the solar system.
These crystals are enormous.
From an information panel:
Known since antiquity, fluorite was first described in 1529 by Georgius Agricola. This German scholar is considered one of the pioneers of geology, thanks to his studies on rocks, minerals, and fossils.
Colour does not define a mineral…
Fluorite is colourless, yet it is one of the minerals that offers the widest range of hues…
Depending on the environmental conditions during its formation (environment, temperature, radioactivity), fluorite may take on colours… or remain colourless.
Its colour is generally characteristic of its place of origin; those formed in the heart of the Mont Blanc massif, for example, display beautiful colours ranging from pink to red.
Don’t confuse this with Azurite!
From an information panel:
Lazurite, the main component of lapis lazuli, is a deep blue and does not degrade. Its high-quality pigment is sought after and therefore very expensive.
Bacchus et Ariane (Titien, 1520-23)
From an information panel:
And what about pigments?
Idiochromatic minerals (from the Greek idios, particular, proper; and chromos, colour) have a constant colour and produce coloured powder when crushed.
This is why they have been used as pigments, sometimes since prehistoric times! They can be found in paintings, illuminations, and even makeup.
Nowadays, synthetic pigments, which are more economical, are often preferred…
From an information panel:
This amethyst geode is not, strictly speaking, a giant crystal, as it is composed of a multitude of amethyst crystals a few centimetres in size.
It is its impressive size that places it among these giants of mineralogy.
Quartz morion
Corundum variety sapphire, known as the “Great Sapphire of Louis XIV”
From an information panel:
The “Great Sapphire of Louis XIV” is one of the most beautiful sapphires in the world, with its extremely simple faceting, possibly of Mughal origin.
This sapphire was long confused with another, the “Ruspoli,” which has very different faceting.
The true history of these two sapphires was uncovered at the Museum of Natural History in 2013.
The “Great Blue Diamond of Louis XIV”
From an information panel:
Tracing the Great Blue Diamond of Louis XIV
In 1668, Louis XIV purchased an exceptional light blue diamond from India. The king had it recut, thus creating the first great brilliant cut in history.
In 1749, this fabulous gem was set on the emblem of the Order of the Golden Fleece of Louis XV.
In 1792, this jewel was stolen and disappeared forever.
A twist occurred in 2007: a historical lead cast of this blue diamond was identified at the Museum of Natural History. The study of this cast with a scanner proved that the diamond was recut around 1812 to become the Hope Diamond, which is currently preserved in the United States.
The three successive versions of this gem have been recreated in blue zircon.
The image above shows the first version. The other versions looked very similar.
Tabletop made of black marble from the Ardennes
From an information panel:
Lapis lazuli, carnelian, agate, jasper, amethyst, amazonite, coral, and other fine stones.
Opificio delle Pietre Dure, Florence, Italy (17th century)
Former collections of the Medici, Barberini, and Louis XIV
About ten different varieties of stones, several years, and around twenty artisans were needed to create this table! Its matrix is made of Flemish marble, whose black colour is due to hydrocarbon inclusions.
Native Gold – 5024 g Nugget
Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Western Australia
That’s a big nugget.
Quartz agate, known as “paradoxical agate”
Quartz agate, known as “paradoxical agate”
From an information panel:Agates are frequently nodular in shape. Exceptionally, they exhibit geometric forms, which is why Roger Caillois called them “paradoxical.”
The conditions under which these “polyhedral” agates form remain a mystery.
This looks like a cubist sculpture. Extraordinary.
Stay tuned for more adventures on our European Odyssey!