The Louvre - Defense Turned Profession of Culture
The Musée du Louvre is located in the 1st arrondissement in Paris, France and holds the largest collections of valuable artwork of any museum in the world. The grounds that the facility sits on holds the museum itself, but is also attached to the Jardin des Tuileries - a public park with fountains, seating, and dining options. The Louvre is attached to its own metro stop, and is located on the Right Bank, next to the Seine.
The Louvre was originally build in the 12th century to act as a fortress of defense - hence the blocked in inner courtyard space, the high walls, and the towering demeanor of the space. It was later renovated into a royal palace where many French monarchs lived during their rule, until the Palace of Versailles became the new home for the monarchy. For 200 years the palace was expanded upon and remodeled until it became the size we know it today, including Catherine de' Medici's expansions that allowed for the connection of the space to the Tuileries Palace and the addition of the Jardin des Tuileries. There were further renovations, however, when it transferred from the royals to a space for the arts.
After Louis XIV moved the seat of the throne to Versailles, the Louvre became the space for the Académie Française and Royal Society of Painting and Sculpture beginning the legacy of the arts. Over time, the Louvre continued to hold art exhibitions and display artifacts considered relevant to the western cultural canon. Here, many goods were displayed after Napoleon and his armies pillaged them from imperial conquests. Many of these goods have since been returned, although some were taken by British armies and are on display in the British museum.
During the French revolution portions of the Louvre were significantly damaged, but the portions that stand today are the remnants of the original construction - the only non-salvageable destruction was done to the Tuileries palace, which no longer stands. Reconstruction occurred after the conclusion of the revolution and the space continued to hold art for the enjoyment of the public.
During WWII massive endeavors were taken to ensure that priceless artworks were preserved during wartime. These efforts took hundreds of conservationists, and months to properly store the pieces so that they wouldn't be affected by the invasion of Nazi Germany. These pieces were returned to the museum after the conclusion of the conflict.
The most major construction changes that make up the Louvre as we know it today began in the 1980s and created accessible pathways, made the glass pyramid, and added all the shops and underground walking spaces. Updates to the facilities now are most concerned with maintaining the historical spaces.
The Louvre is most widely known for its "Three Ladies" - Leonardo DaVinci's Mona Lisa, Alexandro of Antioch's Venus de Milo, and Pythocritos son of Timocharis of Rhodes' Winged Victory. These three pieces are some of the most widely renowned and culturally celebrated pieces of art in history. In addition to these works, other famous works like Liberty Leading the People, The Great Sphinx of Tanis, and several works by Botticelli. There are over 4,oo0 works of art in the museum itself and it would take several days to see it all.
If you are ever to visit Paris, one stop you certainly aren't going to want to miss is the Louvre! I really enjoyed seeing all the individual works of art in the building that is a work of art in itself. The experience was outstanding and I wish I could've stayed all day!
Works Cited
“The History of the Louvre: Part 3: Paris Insiders Guide.” The Louvre Paris, www.parisinsidersguide.com/louvre-history3.html. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.
“Louvre.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., 21 Nov. 2023, www.britannica.com/topic/Louvre-Museum.
Marsh, Janine. “History of the Louvre Museum, Paris.” The Good Life France, 8 Apr. 2021, thegoodlifefrance.com/history-of-the-louvre-museum-paris/.
Szalay, Jessie. “The Louvre Museum: Facts, Paintings & Tickets.” LiveScience, Purch, 2 May 2018, www.livescience.com/31935-louvre-museum.html.
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