History of the Louvre Museum in Paris France: Famous Art Museum

Have you ever noticed the amazing art featured in books and movies? A lot of this art can be found at the Louvre Museum. It is one of the world’s most famous museums in Paris, France.

I still remember my first visit to the Louvre. It was a beautiful day in Paris. The grand glass pyramid entrance welcomed me into a world of art and history. From that moment on, I was eager to learn everything I could about this remarkable museum.

The Louvre features thousands of beautiful artworks. It includes Mona Lisa and the stunning Venus de Milo. The history of the Louvre Museum in Paris France, is fascinating and interesting. So, grab your explorer mind! Let’s uncover the secrets of Louvre together!

Key Takeaways:

• The Louvre museum was built as a medieval fortress in 1190.
• It became a royal palace in the 16th century.
• In 1793, the Louvre Royal Palace became a public museum.
• Today, the Louvre Museum has around 500,000 artworks from many cultures and eras.
• Some of the most famous art are the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory of Samothr, Ace, and Venus de Milo.

History of the Louvre Museum in Paris France

⁤The Louvre is located in Paris, France. ⁤⁤It is the largest and most visited art museum in the world. ⁤⁤The museum is home to a collection of history, culture, and inspiration.

The size of the Louvre Museum is 652,300 square feet. ⁤⁤It is the equal size of 14 football fields. The museum has a collection of over 500,000 artworks. ⁤⁤It attracts about 9 million visitors each year.

Today, the Louvre has many iconic masterpieces. They include da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, and the Venus de Milo. The museum has a huge collection from different centuries and cultures. It also shows the history of art and human creativity.

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Brief History of the Louvre Museum

Early Origin of the Louvre

The story of the Louvre Museum begins in 1190. King Philip II of France decided to build a strong fortress on the banks of the Seine River. He created this fortress to protect Paris from outside attacks. It was called the Louvre.

This fortress featured stone walls, towers, and a moat. Soldiers and Knights patrolled the grounds, making it a very busy place.

From Fortress to Royal Residence

In the 16th century, King Francis I decided to convert the fortress into a royal palace. He loved art and wanted to make a beautiful home.

So, the king and queen started to renovate the fortress. They added beautiful rooms, beautiful gardens, and lavish banquets.

King Francis I wanted to create a Louvre museum as the most beautiful palace in the land. According to his plan, the Louvre museum transformed into a royal palace from a fortress. It became a home for kings and queens.

Key Renovations and Architectural Developments

Here are some key architectural renovations of Louvre Museum:

Renaissance Influence: During the period of the Renaissance, the Louvre became a symbol of art and culture. The king collected different kinds of paintings, and sculptures and converted the palace into a gallery.

Grand Gallary: The grand gallery was built in the 17th century. it was located in the bank of river. This gallery displays an impressive collection of artwork. Day by day, it become a favorite place for visitors.

From Royal Palace to Public Museum: The idea of making the Louvre a public museum started to take shape in the late 18th century. Visitors wanted to see all the artwork collection of the king. From public demand, the Louvre Museum was born.

Transformation into a Public Museum

French Revolution

French Revolution is one of the most important events in Paris art history. During the French Revolution, the biggest change in the history of the Louvre museum occurred. The people of France started to enjoy their freedom and have a say in their government.

The revolutionaries decided to open the palace for citizens. They believed that the owners of the king’s collected treasures were people.

In 1793, the Louvre Museum officially became a public museum. Visitors can walk through the grand halls and enjoy the artwork collection that was hidden. Walking inside the museum is like a roller coaster ride in the world of magic and wonder.

Initial Collections and Significant Artworks

The collection of Louvre Museum was very small during opening time. There were 537 artworks in the museum. Most of the artworks came from royal collections and donations. Significant artworks are:

• The Coronation of Napoleon: The author of the painting was Jacques-Louis David.
• The Venus de Milo: It is a beautiful Greek statue named the goddess of love.

Role of the National Assembly

During the transformation period of the Louvre, the National Assembly of french played an important role. The members of the assembly believed that the museum should be opened. Everyone has the right to access the museum and enjoy the ancient collection of artworks.

Major Historical Events of the Louvre Museum

During the creation of Louvre Museum, many significant events impacted its history. Some of the events are:

Theft of the Mona Lisa Painting

The biggest historical event in the journey of Louvre Museum occurred in 1911. The most famous art Mona Lisa was stolen from the museum. An Italian person named Vincenzo Peruggia was involved in this theft.

People All over the world were talking about it. The museum authority took two years to recover the painting and return it to the museum. This incident is the most popular in the Louvre museum history.

Evacuation of Artworks during World War II

During World War II in 1939, the director of the Louvre Museum decided to move all artworks from the museum. He had already realized that the painting was likely to be stolen. All the artworks of Louvre were transferred to different areas of the country.

The director removed around 4,000 artworks from the museum. When the Nazis came to France and entered the Louvre Museum, they found nothing but empty rooms. This plan of evacuation saves the Louvre museum from becoming empty.

Fire of the Tuileries

In 1871, the fire destroyed the Tuileries Palace. The commune of Paris was behind this destruction. They were part of the government for a short period. The fire damaged some parts of the Louvre museum, but the main part was saved.

The museum staff worked actively and saved many pieces of artwork from the fire. After the end of the Commune, many people requested a new government to renovate the museum. The Louvre became a significant palace of political and historical events.

Collections of the Louvre Museum

The collection of the Louvre Museum is very vast. It features around 500,000 artworks. You can find art, like paintings and sculptures. The collection represents ancient civilization to the modern world. Let’s have a look at some important periods:

Overview of Various Art

Ancient Egypt: This is the oldest civilization in human history. The museum has a collection of mummies, statues, and artifacts from this civilization.

Renaissance: Renaissance is a great time in European history. Artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo show their creativity in this era. The Louvre has a huge collection of paintings, sculptures, and architecture from the Renaissance.

Baroque: The period from early 17th century until the 1750s. It is a Western style of architecture, music, dance, and painting. This era is famous for its own unique architectural style. The Louvre has many modern paintings and sculptures from this era.

Medieval: Medival means the time between the fall of the Roman Empire and the Renaissance. The Louvre has many paintings, and sculptures collection from this period.

Greek and Roman: It is one of the two most powerful civilizations in the history of mankind. Louvre has many coins, poetry, and sculptures from Greek and Roman.

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Famous artwork in Louvre

The louvre museum has many of the world’s most famous artworks. some of the best Tourist attractions are:

Mona Lisa 

When you think of the most famous painting, the name of Mona Lisa comes to mind first. It is a masterpiece by Leonardo da Vinci. It is displayed in the Louvre Museum from 1797.

Venus de Milo

Another masterpiece sculpture in the Louvre is Venus de Milo. People called it the goddess of love and beauty. This ancient art was discovered on the island of Milos in Greece.

Winged Victory of Samothrace

This ancient sculpture was found on the Greek island of Samothrace. It represents the victory. It is displayed at the top of the grand staircase.

Coronation of Napoleon

A painting showing the crowning of Napoleon Bonaparte as Emperor of France. The artist of this painting is Jacques-Louis David.

Visiting the Louvre Museum Today

Visiting the Louvre Museum required some planning. If you are going to Louvre, here is some necessary information for you.

Ticketing Information and Visiting Hours

• Online Booking: If you want to avoid long lines, try to book the ticket online. You can book a ticket and time slot in advance.
• Opening Hours: Except Thursday, the Louvre museum is open everyday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Entry Points: The Louvre has many entrances. The Pyramid Entrance is the most iconic and famous. There are other entrances, like the Carrousel du Louvre and the Richelieu Passa.

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Tips for Visiting the Museum

The Louvre Museum is very large. It has over 500,000 artworks. Here are some tips for navigating the Louvre Museum:

1. Plan in advance.

If you plan to cover most of the museum, it is mandatory to create a plan in advance. Try to Visit on Wednesday or Friday. The museum stays open later on these days. Avoid holidays.

If you plan at the last minute read more about How to Secure Louvre Museum Last-Minute Tickets

2. Use Less popular entrances.

The Pyramid Gate of the Louvre is the most popular in the Louvre Museum. There is a possibility of a huge crowd in front of this gate. If you want less crowd, avoid this gate and use a less popular gate like:

• Passage Richelieu: Located near the Palais Royal.
• Carrousel du Louvre: Enter via the underground shopping mall.
• Porte des Lions: This gate is near the Seine River.

3. Use audio guides or guided tours.

The guided tour will help you to make the best use of your time. Guides are specially trained to navigate the museum easily. Two types of guides are available: audio guides and human guides.

4. Buy tickets in advance.

Advance tickets will help you to avoid long lines in front of the ticket counter. The Louvre is one of the most popular tourist destinations in France. It is normal to be stuck in the long line in front of the ticket counter.

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5. Visit during off-season

November to March: The months of January and February are the most ideal times for visiting the Louvre Museum. If you have no problem with a cold, visit during these times.

Facts About the Louvre Museum

• The value of Louvre Museum and its artworks is around $45.5 billion.
• According to statistics, 80% of visitors come to the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa.
• With over 9 million visitors, the Louvre is the most visited museum in the world.
• The Louvre Museum is the largest in the world.
• The size of the Louvre museum is the equal size of 14 football fields.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is the Louvre museum famous for?

The Louvre Museum is famous for its vast collection of arts and culture. Mona Lisa is the most famous artwork in Louvre Museum.

How many pieces of art are in the Louvre?

There are over 500,000 pieces of artwork in the Louvre Museum.

What are the must-see artworks in the Louvre?

Mona Lisa, Winged Victory of Samothrace, and the Venus de Milo are some of the must-see artworks in the Louvre Museum.

What is the largest painting in the Louvre?

The Wedding at Cana is the largest painting in the Louvre. The painting is 22 feet long. It shows 130 characters in a blaze of light and color.

Conclusion

The Louvre is not just an ordinary museum, it is an important part of France’s history. The Louvre Museum’s historical significance can’t be ignored. From fortress to royal palace to museum, it has a long and interesting history. 

Today, it is one of the most beautiful and most visited museums in the world. When you are in Paris, don’t forget to explore the Louvre Museum and its rich collection.