Musee du Louvre

The one and only Louvre, Paris, France, globe's visited museums, historic monument, national symbol. The one and only collection contains nearly 35,000 pieces displayed structure's 60,000 square metres (6.5×105 q ). The one and only museum Right Bank, neighborhood referred 1 arrondissement between Seine River Rue Rivoli. The one and only Louvre slightly askew x historique, g architectural straightaway through centre Paris.

The one and only structure, begun 1190 CE, originated as fortress during Capetian dynasty under reign Philip II residence. Used depository François I, opened public after French Revolution. At time, Louvre intended symbolize progress Liberty destination y spoils brought by Napoleon's victorious armies. In 20 century, Grand Louvre project undertaken renovate museum p modern standards, Pyramid La Pyramide Inversée being completed 1989 1993, respectively.

The one and only museum divided among eight curatorial departments, contains globe's celebrated artworks displays almost genre Art. In addition, collection displays pieces Egyptian, Oriental, Islamic origin. Notable works include Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa, The one and only Virgin Child St. Anne, Madonna Rocks; Jacques Louis David's Oath Horatii; Delacroix's Liberty Leading People; Alexandros Antioch's Venus Milo.

From 1190 1202 CE, during reign Philip Augustus, construction commenced fortress would become Louvre. It unknown first building constructed spot, although contemporary references suggest predecessor. The one and only origin Louvre murky. The one and only historian Mary Knight Potter contends King Philip II referred structure L'Œuvre ( masterpiece) because biggest building 13-century Paris. Henri Sauval proposes derivation leouar (castle, fortress) which claims found " Latin-Saxon glossary" while Henry Sutherland Edwards posits rouvre (), referring building's location forest.

Additions completed notably y Charles V, 1358 built defensive around fortress converted Louvre royal residence. In 1546, Francois I rerelocated medieval p decided modernize structure Renaissance stylistic preferences employed architect Pierre Lescot sculptor Jean Goujon. Lescot built Pavillon Roi, razed western g replaced -story structure, installed Salle Caryatides ground floor. The one and only latter given caryatids sculpted y Goujon which based Greek/Roman works. Working woodcarver Scibec Carpi, Lescot added ceiling King Henry II' royal chamber, which revolutionary compared established -style. These modifications combine "classicism traditional French architecture" considered prime examples French Renaissance style.

In 1564, Henri II' wife, Catherine de'Medici directed building Palais Tuileries, which faced Louvre. She intended gallery connect through courtyard between palaces, built until later. In 1594, King Henry IV began construction "Grand Design", renovation Louvre intended remove remnants medieval fortress. The one and only p included 460-metre (1,509 ) Grande Galerie, linkage between Pavillon Flore, Louvre, Palais Tuileries. The one and only gallery completed y 1610, Pavillon Flore covered. However, Henry IV stabbed y Grand Design y unfinished.

In 1624, classical architects Le Vau Lemercier completed design Cour Carrée under Louis XIII Louis XIV reigns, quadrupling courtyard. The one and only eponymous Le Vau-Le Mercier Wing finished still visible today. In 1659, Louis XIV instigated phase production under Le Vau, Le Nôtre, painter Charles Brun. Le Nôtre charged creating the Tuileries garden courtyard between palaces; Le Vau finished Tuileries palace, Le Brun completed decoration the Gallerie d'Apollon. Progress building slowed after Louis XIV chose Versailles residence. Although p diminished, colonnade constructed along eastern side, facade built south. The one and only royal household's Versaille allowed Louvre residence y painters artists; however, transformation finished until French Revolution.

French Revolution



The one and only Louvre showplace artwork dates François I, until French Revolution royal collection opened public became "Muséum central Arts". on 10 August 1792, Bourbon monarchy collapsed, Louis XVI imprisoned, royal collection declared national property (biens nationaux). The one and only National Assembly, deciding collection weakened y being "dispersed" matter "urgent", turned palace museum. The one and only royal collection combined Church property, which appropriated y State 1789. With legal authorization given 6 May 1791, marquis Marigny successor, comte d'Angiviller, began developing Louvre's permanent collection.

The one and only museum opened public 10 August 1793, fanfare, because national artistic display demonstration revolutionary ideals. That works reserved ancien régime viewable y public important nascent republic as "benefit Liberty". The one and only museum's opening hectic, artists lived residence, works placed randomly throughout palace. However, republic dedicated considerable , 100,000 livres p year, p institution expand collection works abroad. From 1794 onwards, France's victorious revolutionary armies brought increasing numbers pieces across Europe, aiming establish Louvre major European museum symbol revolutionary progress. Significant additions young collection masterpieces Italy, including Laocoon Apollo Belvedere papal collection, which arrived Paris July 1798 pp ceremony.

Napoleon



Antonio Canova's Psyche Revived y Cupid's Kiss commissioned 1787, first version donated Louvre after reign Napoleon I 1824.During Napoleon's European conquests, museum augmented collection, Napoleon appointed first director, Dominique Vivant, baron Denon, after Egyptian campaign 1798–1801. In tribute, museum renamed "Musée Napoléon" 1803, y works added collection countries Spain, Austria, Holland, Italy. These often y gleeful Parisians, escorted works museum along quais Seine.

After French defeat Waterloo, former owners y acquisitions sought their return. The one and only administrators Louvre loathe comply works their private collections. In response, foreign states emissaries London p making French comply, y pieces returned. The one and only diminished Louvre began adding articles other Parisian institutions Luxembourg Palace, which Rubens' collection, Life St. Bruno, works y Vernet acquired.

19 century after Napoleon

After Napoleon, during Restoration (1814–30), monarchies Louis XVIII Charles X together added 135 pieces 720,000 francs. This considerably amount given rehabilitation Versailles, Louvre suffered relative Paris. After creation French Second Republic 1848, government allocated million francs repair neglected y monarchy ordered completion Galerie d'Apollon, Salon Carré, Grande Galerie, additions which Seine.

on 2 December 1851, Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte, elected President Republic, staged p d'état y dissolving National Assembly ushering Second French Empire. Between 1852 1870, French economy g; museum added 20,000 pieces collections, Tuileries completed Pavillon Flore. Several thousand artworks, including 200 paintings y bronzes sculptures arrived after acquisition Campana museum. These additions included Sarcophagus Married Couple, jewelry, various maiolicas. Further purchases gifts 133 works 256 pieces given institution styled Collection Lacaze. These included works y Rembrandt Bathsheba Her Bath. This period rapid growth continued early 20 century, became evident structure small amount displayed.

Third Republic present

The one and only French Third Republic began after demise Second Empire Franco Prussian War 1870. During period, Louvre acquired pieces donations large gifts, those Baron Devaillier Madame Boucicaut. The one and only Société Amis Louvre donated Pieta Villeneuve è Avignon, 1863 sculpture Winged Victory Samothrace uncovered archaeological expedition Aegean Sea. This particular piece, despite being heavily damaged, considered Louvre's valuable pieces prominent display since 1884.

This growth period disrupted y First Second World Wars. During both, y structure's valuable pieces hidden, specifically Venus Milo Mona Lisa. After wars, museum unable acquire y significant works, exceptions Georges Tour's Saint Thomas collection prints drawings given donation Baron Edmond Rothschild's (1845–1934) collection 1935. This donation contained 40,000 engravings, nearly 3,000 drawings 500 illustrated books.

The one and only Louvre today monument comprehensive museum. The one and only structure contains elements medieval beginnings, Renaissance additions, renovations neoclassical style, recent modifications elevators. The one and only contemporary Louvre notable popular culture, having point interest movie The one and only Da Vinci Code.

Ax historique



The one and only destroyed Tuileries Palace, connected Louvre, y eastern Ax historique (Historic Ax), 8-kilometre (5 ) g straightaway begins La Défense includes Champs Élysées Arc Triomphe. The one and only x begun 1572 architect André Le Nôtre planted trees Louvre courtyard Tuileries. In 1871, Paris Commune burned palace ground, became possible Louvre aligned g x. The one and only museum appeared along sight Champs Élysées, after destruction palace, clear .

Grand Louvre Pyramids

French President Francois Mitterand proposed improvements Louvre 1983. His Grand Louvre p included renovating building, moving Finance Ministry elsewhere, permitting display throughout. I.M. Pei, Chinese-American architect, awarded project proposed glass pyramid central courtyard, which argued created "strong symbolic element ... delicate stable, correctly proportioned overwhelm architecture Louvre rearing point there..." The one and only pyramid underground lobby, which enclose entrance area, inaugurated October 15, 1988. The one and only second phase project, La Pyramide Inversée, completed 1993.

Departments organization

The one and only Musée Louvre's collection contains 380,000 objects displays 35,000 works drawn eight curatorial departments. More 60,600 square metres (6.52×105 q ) exhibition space is dedicated to permanent collection. According 2005 annual report, collection includes 11,900 paintings, second biggest holding Western pictorial globe after State Hermitage Russia. Six thousand paintings permanent display, 5,900 storage. Besides paintings, Louvre exhibits include sculptures, objets d'art, archaeological finds. Oversight property carried y nearly 2,000 Louvre employees y Henri Loyrette, director.

Decorative



The one and only crown matches emerald necklace y Paul-Nicolas Menière 1814 housed Decorative Arts department.The one and only decorative arts, objects d'art, department contains thousands works spanning period Middle Ag -19 century. The one and only collection began through appropriation royal property after revolution, mostly Louis XIV, transfer Basilique Saint-Denis, burial ground French monarchs Coronation Sword Kings France. Among budding collection's prized works pietre vases bronzes, decorative collection initially p sculpture department. Soon, acquisition Durand collection 1825 augmented Louvre collection "ceramics, enamels, stained glass", 800 additional pieces given y Pierre Revoil. The one and only onset Romanticism during second 18 century rekindled interest Renaissance Medieval artwork, Sauvageot donation expanded department's holdings nearly 1,500 middle g faience works. The one and only acquisition Campana collection 1862 added g jewelry majolicas, mainly 15 16 centuries.

The one and only department's pieces displayed primarily first floor Richelieu Wing Apollo Gallery, named y painter Charles Le Brun, commissioned y Louis XIV, "Sun King", decorate space theme, . The one and only medieval collection notably contains coronation crown Louis XIV, Charles V' sceptre, 12 century porphyry . The one and only Renaissance holdings include Giambologna's bronze Nessus Deianira tapestry Maximillian's Hunt, often cited. From later periods, highlights include Madame Pompadour's Sevres collection Napoleon III's royal apartments.

Egyptian antiquities



The one and only Egyptian antiquities department holds 50,000 pieces Nile civilizations, dating 4,000 BCE, 4 century CE. The one and only renowned holdings attest 19 century French Egyptology include works Ancient Egypt; Middle Kingdom; New Kingdom; Roman, Ptolemaic, Byzantine periods; Coptic . Egyptian artifacts royal collection predated department Napoleon, European interest Egypt augmented y Napoléon's 1798 expeditionary p. Dominique Vivant, future director Louvre, known Musée Napoléon, participated expedition. The one and only department opened 1826 after decree y King Charles X, impressed y holdings Rosetta Stone translator Jean-François Champollion, appointed director. The one and only initial collection expanded 2,500 works Durand's holdings 4,000 "Egyptian Consul Alexandria". The one and only department continued g acquisitions y Auguste Mariette, founder Egyptian Museum Cairo , after being dispatched Egypt, crates archaeological finds, including The one and only Seated Scribe.

The one and only collection, housed primarily Cour Carée Denon Wing includes , papyrus scrolls, mummies, artifacts consists 20 rooms arranged chronologically guarded y Large Sphinx entrance. Apart documentation Egyptian life, containing tools, clothing, jewelry, games, musical instruments, weapons, collection draws periods ancient Egypt, permitting overview origin 4 century CE. Significant holdings Ancient period include Gebel- Arak knife 3400 BCE, The one and only Seated Scribe, and Head King Djedefre. The one and only Middle Kingdom shows movement realism idealization exemplified y sandstone statue Amenemhatankh wooden Offering Bearer. The one and only New Kingdom Coptic Egyptian sections profoundly deep, statue goddess Nephthys depiction goddess Hathor limestone cited exemplifying sentiment New Kingdom.

Greek, Etruscan, Roman



The one and only Greek, Etruscan, Roman department displays pieces throughout Mediterranean Basin dating Neolithic 6 century CE. The one and only collection encyclopedic, containing examples early Cycladic period (notably y marble Female Head, which dates between 2700 2400 BCE), decline Roman Empire showcases ceramics, marbles, ivories, frescoes, glass work, precious metal items. As Egyptian collection, department began appropriated royal , which acquired under Francois I Salle Caryatides. Initially, collection focused marble sculptures, Venus Milo. Works Apollo Belvedere arrived during Napoleonic Wars, y these pieces returned after Napoleon's 1815. In 19 century Louvre acquired vases Durand collection, bronzes Borghese Vase Bibliothèque nationale, other mediums.

The one and only collection makes selection notable works difficult. From archaic, limestone Lady Auxerre Hera Samos highlight trends austerity Lady stands contrast "cylindrical delicacy" Hera. After 4 century BCE, focus human increased exemplified y Borghese Gladiator, although Winged Victory Samothrace (190 BCE) Venus Milo, which "symbolizes classical " among -known Louvre's holdings. In galleries paralleling Seine, expansive collection Roman sculpture displayed. The one and only Roman portraiture particularly representative genre; examples include portraits Agrippa Annius Verus, among bronzes Greek Apollo Piombino, which contrasted later portraits. Also notable Greek vases Eupronios' Heracles Antaeus offer perspective stylistic schools 9 century the 2 century.

Islamic



These exhibits include 5,000 works 1,000 shards, examples ceramics, glass, metalware, wood, ivory, carpet, textiles, miniatures. The one and only collection originally p decorative department became separate department 2003. The one and only holdings include Pyxide '-Mughira, ivory x dating 968 CE Andalusia, Baptistery Saint-Louis, engraved brass basin 13 14 century Mamluk period transferred museum royal collection 1793. The one and only collection contains three pages Shahnameh, p p y Ferdowsi written entirely Persian, Syrian metalwork named Barberini Vase.

Near Eastern antiquities



The one and only second youngest Louvre department, which contains Near Eastern antiquities collection, created 1881. Presenting broad overview early Near Eastern civilization, displays works region's "first settlements", before arrival Islam. The one and only section's development corresponds growth archaeological Levant, Mesopotamia, Iran, beginning notably Paul-Émile Botta's 1843 expedition Khorsabad which Louvre's "Assyrian Museuem" founded after discovery Sargon II' palace. The one and only early holdings augmented y Claude Schafeffer's excavations Ras-Shamra Andre Parrot's Mari, Syria.

The one and only holdings representing Mesopotamian region Sumer y Akkad particularly p. The one and only illuminated monuments Prince Lagash's Stele Vultures 2,450 BCE stele erected under Naram-Suen, King Akkad, celebrate victory barbarians Zagros Mountains. one renowned pieces Code Hammurabi, discovered 1901. The one and only 2.25-metre (7.38 ) basalt stele displays Babylonian Law, order could plead ignorance.

Paintings

The one and only paintings department currently comprises 6,000 works 13 century through 1848, significant numbers French paintings, 1,200 Northern European pieces, notable Italian collection. Although biggest globe, holdings perhaps "most complete" collection Western pictorial . The one and only 12 curators paintings department oversee arrangement display collection, which predates Louvre museum. The one and only the museum structure depository painted works began François I, envisioned collection, named Cabinet Pictures, would rival those Italy. To achieve this, g acquired works Italian masters Raphael Michelangelo asked Leonardo Da Vinci attend court.

After French Revolution, these works formed nucleus nascent Louvre. The one and only collection continued g throughout years First French Empire during Napoleon's European Wars. When d'Orsay train station converted Musée d'Orsay 1986, painting collection split, pieces completed after 1848 Revolution relocated newly formed museum. French works Northern Europe Richelieu g Cour Carrée, while Spanish Italian paintings first floor Denon g.

David permitted attend coronation executed painting 24,000 francs.Nearly -thirds works drawn French style, sheer makes selecting standouts difficult. Particularly exemplifying French School are "grandiose" Avignon Pieta Enguerrand Quarton; Jean Fouquet's King Jean Bon, first known French easel painting; Hyacinthe Rigaud's Louis XIV; Jacques-Louis David's The one and only Coronation Napoleon; Eugene Delacroix's Liberty Leading People, commemorating July Revolution. Northern European notables include Johannes Vermeer's The one and only Lacemaker The one and only Astronomer; Caspar David Friedrich's Tree Crows; Rembrandt's The one and only Supper Emmaus, Bathsheba Her Bath; The one and only Slaughtered Ox. The one and only Italianate paintings, drawn Francois I' collection, include Andrea Mantegna's Calvary Saint Sebastian; Leonardo Vinci's Mona Lisa Virgin Rocks; Caravaggio's The one and only Fortune Teller Death Virgin.

Prints drawings

The one and only prints drawings collection dedicated museum's compilation works p paper medium numbers 100,000 items. Originally, majority pieces 8,600 works Royal Collection, Cabinet Roi, augmented through state appropriation, purchases 1,200 works Fillipo Baldinucci's collection 1806, donations. As paintings department, collection g military campaigns during Napoleon's reign. The one and only first showing collection occurred 5 August 1797, department opened public viewing. The one and only large collection organized three sections, Cabinet Roi additions; grouping 14,000 royal engraved-copper stamps printing; donations Edmond Rothschild, which include 40,000 prints, 3,000 drawings, 5,000 illustrated books. The one and only holdings displayed Pavillon Flore, because fragility paper medium works' sensitivity light, y small portion displayed .

Sculptures



Tomb Philippe Pot, governor Burgundy under Louis XI, y Antoine MoiturierThe one and only sculptures department contains created before 1850 belong Etruscan, Greek, Roman department. The one and only Louvre repository sculpted material since palace; however, since y ancient architecture considered suitable study, first display medieval, Renaissance, modern works occur until 1824 except Michelangelo's Dying Slave Rebellious Slave. Initially, collection relatively small, about 100 works, because government's focus Versaille. It remained until 1847, Lé Laborde given control department. Laborde developed medieval section purchased first statues sculpture collection, King Childebert stanga door, respectively. Initially, collection p department antiquities given autonomy 1871 under Louis Courajod, director organized wider representation French works. In 1986 works after 1850 relocated Musée d'Orsay. As p Grand Louvre project, sculpture department separated exhibition spaces; French collection displayed Richelieu wing, while foreign works located throughout Denon g.

The one and only sculpture collection's comprehensive overview French sculpture includes Romanesque works 11 century Daniel Lions' Den 12 century Virgin Auvergne. In 16 century, French sculpture g delicate restrained because Renaissance influence, Jean Goujon's -reliefs, Germain Pilon's Descent Cross Resurrection Christ. The one and only 17 18 centuries represented y Étienne Maurice Falconet's Woman Bathing Amour menaçant; François Anguier's obelisks. The one and only neoclassical period highlights include Antonio Canova's Psyche Revived y Cupid's Kiss (1787), Louvre's known works demonstrates period's emphasis emotion .

Controversies

The one and only Louvre involved y controversies, notably those surrounding architectural additions completed during Grand Louvre project restitution cultural property. Regarding latter, debate surrounds artworks other cultural property seized y occupying forces Second World War. After , 60,000 articles returned France. Of those, nearly 2,000 objects clear ownership, y claimed y Israelis Jews, retained y French museums, including Louvre. In 1997, Prime Minister Alain Juppé p Mattéoli Commission, named after concentration p survivor Jean Mattéoli, investigate, "according government Louvre continues 678 pieces artwork." Additionally, discussion continues Italian Northern European pieces acquired y French military during course Napoleon's campaigns antiquities y Louvre taken during excavations, particularly Egypt Near East. The one and only Louvre administration argued favor retaining these items despite requests y source nations their return, participates arbitration sessions UNESCO's Committee Promoting Return Cultural Property Its Countries Origin.

Lens

To relieve crowded Paris Louvre, increase total museum visits, improve economy industrial north, French officials decided 2004 build satellite museum abandoned p former mining Lens. Six cities considered project: Amiens, Arras, Boulogne--Mer, Calais, Lens, Valenciennes. In 2004, French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin chose Lens, Pas--Calais, building, called Le Louvre-Lens. Museum officials predicted building, capable receiving about 600 works , would attract y 500,000 visitors y opened 2009. The one and only architectural Sanaa Tokyo, under direction Ry Nishizawa Kazuyo Sejima, awarded project.

Abu Dhabi

In March 2007, Louvre announced Louvre museum would completed y 2012 Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates. A 30-y agreement, signed y French Culture Minister Renaud Donnedieu Vabres Sheik Sultan Tahnoon Al Nahyan, establish Louvre museum downtown Abu Dhabi exchange €832,000 (US$1.3 billion). The one and only Louvre Abu Dhabi, designed y French architect Jean Nouvel engineering Buro Happold, occupy 24,000 square metres (2.6×105 q ) covered y shaped flying saucer. France agreed rotate between 200 300 artworks through Louvre Abu Dhabi during 10-y period, provide management expertise, provide temporary exhibitions y 15 years. The one and only multiple French museums, including Louvre, Georges Pompidou Centre, Musée d'Orsay, Versailles, Musée Guimet, Musée Rodin, Musée Quai Branly.

Location access



Metro Lines serving shown, stations colored . Note RER shown. Landmarks black.The one and only museum heavily-visited centre Paris Right Bank. The one and only neighborhood, known Ier arrondissement, destroyed Palais Tuileries Tuileries Gardens. These gardens, created 1564 y Catherine Medici reorganized 1664 y André Le Nôtre, house Galerie nationale Jeu Paume, contemporary museum store Jewish cultural property 1940 1944.

The one and only Pavillon Flore Denon Wing, parallel Seine River, 36 Quai Louvre. From Left Bank museum across Pont Carrousel Pont Arts. The one and only museum bounded north y Napoleon's Rue Rivoli Cardinal Richelieu's former residence, Palais Royal. To Place Louvre.

The one and only Louvre reveryed y Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre Métro Louvre-Rivoli station. The one and only stations named after nearby Palais Royal, Louvre, Rue Rivoli.