Whether you’re a world traveler or a couch potato wanna-be, every artist has the Musee du Louvre on his or her bucket list of places to see.
Not only is it one of the most visited museums on the planet, but its doors have been open to greet guests and art aficionados for 219 years.
This former 12th century fortress was originally named the Palais du Louvre. Over the centuries, it was updated and expanded. By the time Louis XIV came into power in the 17th century, the royal art collection was housed there, and this artistic monument became the residence of the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles Lettres and the Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture.
Today, this bastion of art encompasses 652,300 square feet of space, houses more than 380,000 objects and displays 35,000 works of art. More than 8,000,000 guests walked the galleries and corridors of the museum last year.
Everyone visiting the Louvre has personal favorites that are ‘must see’ pieces. However, if you want the high points in one easy-to-digest list, the following are a few of the most famous paintings in the Louvre, and perhaps the most famous paintings in the world.
The Mona Lisa
The official name of this quiet little painting that has charmed the world for centuries is “Portrait of Lisa Gherardini, wife of Francesco del Giocondo.” To the world, she’s the Mona Lisa, and reigns as queen of the Louvre in terms of popularity and most visited.
Leonardo Da Vinci toiled away with his oil paints on the petite 21” x 30” poplar wood panel for four years, between 1503 and 1506; although some claim he may have made adjustments and enhancements to the painting until 1517. King Francis I of France came into possession of it, and it remains the property of the French government. The Mona Lisa has been on display at the Louvre since 1797.
Da Vinci’s importance, mastery of technique and position in the art world may be unparalleled, but the enigmatic smile of the Florentine silk merchant’s wife is what people walk away remembering.
Liberty Leading the People
Eugène Delacroix was the leader of the French Romantic painters of the early and mid 19th century and the creator of Liberty Leading the People. This large painting measures 9.81’x11.88’ and is a bold, allegorical oil painting that depicts the French Revolution. It was painted in 1830 and uses bright dashes of pure primary colors against the brown and gray tones to give intensity and movement to the scene. It was purchased by the French government, but it was deemed too inflammatory and removed from public view. It was put on display in the Louvre in 1874.
The Coronation of Napoleon
Jacques-Louis David painted this 20’ 4”×32’ 1” oil on canvas between 1804 and 1807. The painting was commissioned personally by Napoleon, and it portrays the ruler as a dashing, romantic figure. This heroic painting is only one of several paintings the artist portrayed the Emperor Napoleon. An interesting detail in the piece is that Napoleon is crowning the queen, when the Pope would have typically performed the ceremony. As you will see in viewing the piece, the Pope is looking on from the audience. This painting became part of the Louvre collection in 1889.
Oedipus and the Sphinx
Ingres was one of the last neoclassical painters and was considered an icon of cultural conservatism in France. Oedipus and the Sphinx began as a study that Ingres sent to be judged by the members of the Institut de France in 1808. It was finally completed and appeared in the Louvre in 1827. This historical painting is 74” x 56.”
Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres was a classic artist who didn’t embrace the Romantic school of painting that became popular during his life. He was a traditionalist who felt drawing was most important and color was secondary. He abhorred the appearance of brush strokes on a painting that the Impressionists favored. Ingres is considered one of the masters of 19th century oil painting.
There are so many famous paintings in the Louvre that any list is sure to be sorely lacking. This museum ranks as one of the finest collections in the world, and a single trip will only whet your appetite for more. If you have the opportunity to visit the museum, spend time planning your route to make sure you get to see the pieces and categories of artwork that interest you the most.
