The tiny Paris pastel shop that changed art history

At an angle, a wooden box of 48 pastel half-sticks in two trays of four rows, with top ranging from puce to red to yellow to white, and the bottom tray ranging from lilac to teal to green to grey to black. The sticks are noticeably handmade and each stamped ROC. Part of the box's wooden lid can be seen to the right, with fanciful dragon crest and PARIS emblazoned on it.

"The Maison du Pastel shop, off rue Rambuteau, opens only on Thursday afternoons. In this small window of time, Isabelle and Margaret serve their customers like they are selling elixirs for the soul."

... If you missed it, this post on La Maison du Pastel, the Parisian shop selling handmade pastels since the18th century, is -- like their wares -- just lovely.

12/21/22
by taz

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