Travel Log

Quebec: Week Two

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On Sunday, I took the bus to the Musée Nationale des Beaux-Arts de Québec. I had heard about an exhibit on the works of Berthe Morisot, one of only a few female painters in the Impressionist school. She was the sister-in-law of Édouard Manet, being married to his brother, Eugène. Strange for her time, she kept her maiden name after their marriage and continued with her artistic career.
Her art has been described as decidedly feminine: depicting women and domestic life.
The first painting in the exhibit was called Le Berceau (the cradle), one of Morisot's best-known works, which shows her sister Edma looking over the cradle of her daughter, Blanche. Edma and her children were common subjects in Morisot's art. Another of Morisot's frequent models was her and Eugène Manet's daughter, Julie.
Prior to looking in the exhibit, I got something to eat in one of the museum's cafe. The cafe did not have a good selection; I had a pita wrap with salami, ham, and cheese, which was only okay.

The next place I went was Cathédral-Basilica-de-Notre-Dame. It took me awhile to there. First, because I had a hard time finding the stop where I needed to catch the bus. Once I got off the bus, I went on yet another magical-mystery-tour of Quebec trying to find the cathedral. I went to Notre Dame de Quebec last Wednesday and wanted to see the crypts, which were closed at the time. Luckily, this time I was able to see the crypts. My tour began with seeing the remains of St. François de Laval, the first bishop of Quebec. He founded a seminary which became Laval University and was canonized by Pope Francis. The crypt itself contains the remains of the of the previous bishops of Quebec and the priests who served at Notre Dame de Quebec.