The Best Museum in the World
I think everyone has heard of the Louvre as the biggest and best museum in the entire world. The Louvre museum is one of the many architectural marvels of France. The glass-shaped pyramid is a wonder to look at. Its unique design is truly representative of bringing the most elite artists and their artworks together.
The area around the Louvre is frequently visited due to the main roads passing through the outside courtyards. Visitors arrive early to get in line, which when full of people, takes approximately two hours to get through. It’s recommended to get a tour guide and you’ll save yourself lost time.
There are many types of tour guides for different languages that you can find online. Depending on which one you book, guides will use a microphone and hand you devices with earbuds to increase their voice. Hordes of people visit the Louvre every day. You can easily get separated or have trouble hearing what others have to say.
Let’s get straight to the point: How is the museum? It’s the best museum. There are over thousands of artworks available to admire, but only ten percent of the artworks are on display. There’s so much to see that you could easily spend three entire days seeing the exhibits.
Pictures of the inside, outside, and courtyard of the Louvre in Paris, France.
Pavilion de L’Horloge
Charles V, King of France from 1364 to 1380, transformed the former Louvre fortress into a luxurious royal residence. The castle, which was enclosed by a new outer wall to the west, lost its defensive role. To give the building less of a military style, the project’s architect, Raymond du Temple, open up windows in the walls and raised and embellished the tops.
Two new principal blocks, or corps de logis, were built in the courtyard, one to the east and one to the north, overlooking gardens. The royal library was installed in the northwest tower. What you see are the foundations of the castle, whose gradual demolishment began in the 16th century to give way to the Louvre of today.
Architecture and Design
You’ll find no shortage of luxurious designs throughout the entire building. The ceilings are detailed and embroidered with gold. You’ll find statues, busts, jewelry, relics, and a special collection of Yves Saint Laurent outfits on display.
The attention and amount of detail on every wall and ceiling are beautiful.
Art Gallery
You’ll find paintings of the renaissance, impressionism, romanticism, Art Nouveau, sculptures, and more. I enjoy works depicting biblical imagery, which there are plenty of. I love all the stories in the Bible because they are profoundly tragic and contain wisdom. The attention to detail and multitude of intertwining scenes in the paintings is astonishing storytelling.
Without a doubt, the most popular work of art in the Louvre (and the world) is the Mona Lisa. The Mona Lisa, painted by Leonardo da Vinci in 1450 is the most sought-after painting by tourists. It’s almost a pilgrimage to see it. The Mona Lisa has been subject to the most parodies ever made, and it has been stolen, acid has been thrown, and recently a man dressed as an old lady threw a pie at it.
Please take your time to enjoy a handful of the artwork displayed at the Louvre museum below. I will upload more throughout the year:
Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci
Liberty Leading the People (La Liberté guidant le peuple) by Eugène Delacroix
Saint John the Baptist by Leonardo da Vinci
Saint Anne, the Virgin Mary, and the Infant Jesus Playing with a Lamb by Leonardo da Vinci.
This symbolic painting shows Saint Anne, her daughter Mary and Jesus, who is playing with a lamb – a symbol of his future sacrifice. Leonardo set the holy scene in an imaginary landscape of lakes and mountains. The water over the rocks in the foreground is an allusion to the future baptism of Christ.
Deluge by Anne Louis Girodet de Roussy-Trioson
Rather than a biblical Flood, Girodet’s painting shows a cataclysm from which a father tries in vain to save his family. The artist aspired to the sublime in this huge work with its depiction of terror and the stark contrast between light and darkness (chiaroscuro).
The Consecration of Emperor Napoleon and the Coronation of Empress Josephine in Notre-Dame Catherdral on 2 December 1804 by Jacques Louis David
David’s painting shows the ceremony at which Napoleon crowned himself and his wife Emperor and Empress of the French in the presence of his family, the Pope, and the dignitaries of the Empire. The realistic depictions of the faces and costumes of the 191 figures in the scene distract attention from the artist’s skillful reconstruction of the event.
The Grande Odalisque by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres
Pandemonium by John Martin
This painting illustrates a scene from one of the greatest English epic poems. Satan has assembled his army of fallen angels before the huge palace of Pandemonium, built by demons.
The Mystery of the Passion of Christ by Antonio Campi
These twenty-four meticulously depicted scenes from the Passion of Christ were painted for the moral benefit of Christians and to strengthen their faith, in accordance with the ‘spiritual exercises’ advocated in Lombardy by Charles Borromeo and his circle, supporters of the Catholic Reformation.
The Circumcision by Giulio Pippi, dit Giulio Romano
The twisted columns, recalling those of Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem, were inspired by the spiral Colonna Santa (‘Holy Column’) in Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome. They reflect the Renaissance’s taste for classical architecture.
The Funeral of Miltiades by Pierre Peyron
This scene, painted in Rome shows an example of filial virtue from ancient Greek history. Miltiades (540-489 BC), an army general convicted of treason, died in prison before serving his full sentence. His son Cimon takes his place to ensure his father is not denied a proper funeral.
Saint Joseph the Carpenter by Georges de Latour
La Tour illuminated the scene with candlelight, heightening the sense of intimacy and gentleness. The light accentuates the lines on Joseph’s face and gives a red glow to the fingers of Jesus, whose radiant childish face suggests his divinity.
Taking a Break at the Louvre Museum
The Louvre museum is a big place. You’ll find small benches to sit down on when your feet and legs get tired. There’s a small cafe that has a view onlooking the front courtyard. You’ll notice the Ferris wheel and the glass pyramid.
Within the exhibits, visitors can buy souvenirs at small gift shops. I bought a shirt and some magnets to place on my refrigerator. At the entrance are shops that sell chocolates, watches, clothes, and more.
Closing Thoughts
I had a great time seeing artwork from the most creative minds history has ever known. You’ll learn a lot about French culture and history. The paintings and sculptures are one-of-a-kind works of art that have been admired for centuries.
Visiting the Louvre museum is a must for anyone who is going to travel to Paris. I’m glad I took pictures and I can relive those moments through them. It’s a nice feeling to be surrounded by hundreds of people from different walks of life gathering in the heart of Paris.
My lovely mother and I are outside the Louvre. 🥰
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