· By Creative Blockman
Louvre Museum
History of the Louvre Museum
The Louvre Museum's rich and varied history may be traced back to the 12th century. Originally, it served as a stronghold to defend Paris from Viking invaders. The fortification was renovated and enlarged over the years until it became the French royal palace. The Louvre Museum was established during the reign of King Francis I. The monarch was an avid art collector who decided to show off his prized possessions to the world. In 1793, Louis made the Louvre available to the public for the first time as a museum.
The Collection
The Louvre Museum houses priceless works of art and artifacts spanning from antiquity to the current day. Egyptian artifacts, Near Eastern artifacts, Greek artifacts, Etruscan artifacts, Roman artifacts, Islamic art, sculptures, decorative arts, paintings, and prints and drawings make up the collection's eight categories.
It's no surprise that the museum's Egyptian antiquities collection is a top draw. Included among its more than 50,000 antiquities are the renowned statue of Ramesses II, the Seated Scribe, and the Code of Hammurabi
Artifacts from Mesopotamia, Iran, and the Levant can be located in the museum's Near Eastern Antiquities collection. The department is home to one of the world's oldest works of art from ancient Mesopotamia: the stele of Naram-Sin.
Artifacts from ancient Greek and Roman cultures can also be discovered in the Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities area. The area is known for containing the Venus de Milo, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, and the Nike of Samothrace.
Antiquities from the Islamic world, such as ceramics, textiles, and metalwork, have been preserved for display in the Islamic Art section.
Many sorts of sculptures from various eras and cultures can be seen in the Sculptures section. Michelangelo's well-known Slaves sculpture is on display in this section. Furniture, tapestries, and pottery are just some of the ornamental items that may be located in the Decorative Arts department, which exhibits pieces from many various time periods and cultures.
The Paintings section covers artwork from various cultures and time periods. The likes of the Mona Lisa, the Raft of the Medusa, and Liberty Leading the People are all stored in this area. There are paintings and sketches from several time periods and cultures to be seen n the Prints and Drawings section. The section has Leonardo da Vinci's Vitruvian Man drawing as one of its famous souvenirs.
Throughout the year, the Louvre Museum also hosts a variety of revolving temporary exhibitions. These shows offer a wonderful opportunity to see works of art that are not typically on display, as they often focus on themes and time periods that are not widely known or discussed. Is the Louver Museum on your list of must see museums? It's definitely on ours!