Witness Unimaginable And Marvellous Art Collection Of The Louvre, Paris

A word or two about the history

The Louvre was created as a fortress in the 12th century, which was later demolished. The foundations were used for the creation of the Sully Wing, in the 16th century. The reconstructed remains of the fortification are displayed in the lowest level of the mentioned wing. Construction of the additional wings followed in the next centuries.

In the 16th century, Francis I transferred the royal residence to the Louvre. He purchased the Mona Lisa painting from Leonardo da Vinci, which resulted in amassing the works of art by subsequent rulers, Louis XIII and Louis XIV in first place. Further significant acquisitions followed during the Napoleon’s reign, who donated works of art brought from the conquered lands. French expeditionary forces, colonial authorities and sailors did pretty much the same.

The main royal residence was transferred from the Louvre in 1682 to the Versailles, and the palace was left to decay. In the mid-18th century, it was even considered to be demolished. Napoleon I, however, had it opened to the public in 1793, when the Louvre officially becomes a museum.

Works of art

The Louvre displays a wide diapason of exhibits – jewelry, monumental gates of the former palaces, sculptures, paintings – practically anything that might come to mind. They are exhibited throughout three existing wings – Richelieu, Sully and Denon – and are grouped by the related periods. Those are Antiquity, Middle Ages, Renaissance, etc. A wide range of displayed items relates to history, mythology, various beliefs, worldwide practices, etc. Masterpieces are spread throughout the expansive complex, and you would miss a great part of fun if you aim to locate only those. Take your time and enjoy.

The Louvre’s highlights: Winged Victory of Samothrace

Certain masterpieces oughtn’t to be bypassed, regardless of your interests. One such is the Winged Victory of Samothrace, located in the intersection of the Sully and Denon wings.

The sculpture is believed to have adorned the prow of a Greek battle ship, symbolically leading it into victory. Creases of the robe indicate sailing upwind, which in combination with the wings demonstrates truly a magnificent stance. In my opinion, this is the unbeatable highlight among the sculptures.

Don’t miss “The Intervention of the Sabine Women”!

During the emergence of the Roman Republic, the Romans entered the neighbouring Sabine territory and abducted their beautiful women. Enraged, the Sabine men gathered and marched into Rome. However, the bloodshed was prevented by the intervention of the brave women, who considered the abduction lesser evil than fighting against the overwhelming Roman force. The painting is displayed in the Denon Wing.

Catch a glimpse of the Tomb of Philippe Pot

The sculpture is a fine example of the Middle Ages funerary art. It represents a recumbent statue of a powerful lord, dressed in his armour. The hooded mourners carrying his body wear the coats of arms of his predecessors. The aim was to underline the beloved lord’s greatness during his life.

Another highlight: The Great Sphinx of Tanis

The sphinxes were considered the guardians of the Pharaoh necropolis, and the embodiment of their divine power during the lifetime. The related monument originated around the 27th century BC. Made of granite, it adorned the tomb of unknown Pharaoh. The masterpiece is located in the Sully Wing.