Paris, France – The Louvre Museum

Louvre Pyramid

It was a tourist “thing” to stand on a square box provided for the purpose of doing as I am doing in the below photo – attempting to hold the top of the Louvre Pyramid.

The Louvre Pyramid is a large glass and metal structure designed by the Chinese-American architect I. M. Pei. The pyramid is in the main courtyard (Cour Napoléon) of the Louvre Palace.

March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre - The Louvre Pyramid
March 30th, 2016 – Paris, France – 1st Arrondissement – The Louvre – The Louvre Pyramid

Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel

We waited for our tour guide under the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel.

March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre - Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel
The Louvre – Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel
March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre - Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel - Looking up while standing underneath
The Louvre – Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel – Looking up while standing underneath

3 Hour Tour

We were part of a 3 hour guided tour of the Louvre.  Our tour was in the oldest section of the museum.

Our tour guide giving his pre-tour speech before we entered.

March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre - The entrance where our tour group gathered.
The Louvre – The entrance where our tour group gathered.

The Inverted Pyramid

The Inverted Pyramid is a skylight in the Carrousel du Louvre shopping mall in front of the Louvre Museum. It looks like an upside-down and smaller version of the Louvre Pyramid.

March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre - The Inverted Pyramid
The Louvre – The Inverted Pyramid
March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre - The Inverted Pyramid
The Louvre – The Inverted Pyramid

The Staircase Under the Louvre Pyramid

March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre - The Staircase under the Louvre Pyramid
The Louvre – The Staircase under the Louvre Pyramid
March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre - Looking up from under the Louvre Pyramid
The Louvre – Looking up from under the Louvre Pyramid

The Smaller Pyramid

March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre - Looking up from under the Smaller Pyramid
The Louvre – Looking up from under the Smaller Pyramid

Portrait of a Young Woman

We started off looking at a portrait that was over 2000 years old called “Portrait of a Young Woman”. This portrait was a starting point to explain 2000 years ago artists knew how to create a realistic portrait.  

Our tour would include exploring the evolution of portraits.

March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre - Portrait of a Young Woman
The Louvre – Portrait of a Young Woman
March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre

Winged Victory of Samothrace

Our tour guide led us to Daru staircase in the Denon wing where at its centre stands Winged Victory of Samothrace.

The Winged Victory of Samothrace, or the Nike of Samothrace, is a votive monument originally found on the island of Samothrace, north of the Aegean Sea. It is a masterpiece of Greek sculpture from the Hellenistic era, dating from the beginning of the 2nd century BC. It is composed of a statue representing the goddess Niké (Victory), whose head and arms are missing, and its base in the shape of a ship’s bow.

March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre - Winged Victory of Samothrace
The Louvre – Winged Victory of Samothrace
March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre - Winged Victory of Samothrace
The Louvre – Winged Victory of Samothrace
March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre - Winged Victory of Samothrace
The Louvre – Winged Victory of Samothrace

Giotto di Bondone – Crucifix – 1310-1315 (?)

March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre - Giotto di Bondone - Crucifix  - 1310-1315 (?)
The Louvre – Giotto di Bondone – Crucifix – 1310-1315 (?)

Cenni di Pepi (Cimabue) – Maestà – 1280

March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre - Cenni di Pepi (Cimabue) - Maestà - 1280
The Louvre – Cenni di Pepi (Cimabue) – Maestà – 1280

Sandro Botticelli – Madonna and Child with St. John the Baptist, c. 1470–1475

March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre - Alessandro di Mariano di Vanni Filipepi, known as Sandro Botticelli  - Madonna and Child with St. John the Baptist, c. 1470–1475
The Louvre – Alessandro di Mariano di Vanni Filipepi, known as Sandro Botticelli – Madonna and Child with St. John the Baptist, c. 1470–1475

Leonardo da Vinci – The Virgin and Child with St. Anne – 1500 until 1513

3 generations – Mary’s mother Anne, Mary and Baby Jesus with a baby lamb (Lamb of God).

March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre - Leonardo da Vinci - The Virgin and Child with St. Anne - 1500 until 1513
March 30th, 2016 – Paris, France – 1st Arrondissement – The Louvre – Leonardo da Vinci – The Virgin and Child with St. Anne – 1500 until 1513
March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre - Leonardo da Vinci - 3 generations - Mary's mother Anne, Mary and Baby Jesus with a baby lamb (Lamb of God)
The Louvre – Leonardo da Vinci – 3 generations – Mary’s mother Anne, Mary and Baby Jesus with a baby lamb (Lamb of God)

Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino also known as Raphael – Madonna and Child with Saint John the Baptist – 1507

March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre - Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino also known as Raphael - Madonna and Child with Saint John the Baptist - 1507
The Louvre – Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino also known as Raphael – Madonna and Child with Saint John the Baptist – 1507
March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre - Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino also known as Raphael - Madonna and Child with Saint John the Baptist - 1507
Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino also known as Raphael – Madonna and Child with Saint John the Baptist – 1507

Leonardo da Vinci – Mona Lisa – 1503–1506

The story of Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” has many interesting details – what made the portrait famous was that the portrait was stolen by a worker and later returned.

No one really knows who Mona Lisa is – her identity is speculation.

On his death bed Leonardo da Vinci admitted Mona Lisa was his favorite of all his paintings.  

March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre - Leonardo da Vinci - Mona Lisa - 1503–1506 - My first look at Mona Lisa
The Louvre – Leonardo da Vinci – Mona Lisa – 1503–1506 – My first look at Mona Lisa
March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre - Leonardo da Vinci - Mona Lisa - 1503–1506 - So many want to see her
The Louvre – Leonardo da Vinci – Mona Lisa – 1503–1506 – So many want to see her
March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre - Leonardo da Vinci - Mona Lisa - 1503–1506
The Louvre – Leonardo da Vinci – Mona Lisa – 1503–1506

An Unforgettable Moment in the Chaos

There are moments in a marriage that are wonderfully unforgettable.

I experienced one of these moments when I was trying to get a picture of myself with this famous portrait, without anyone else in the picture.

My husband Michael took care of that.

He assertively pushed us through the crowd then with a tone of don’t mess with me he asked those near me to move out of the way so he could take Mona Lisa and I’s picture together. Without anyone but us in it!

March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre - Leonardo da Vinci - Mona Lisa - 1503–1506
Trying to get a photo with the famous painting.
March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre - Leonardo da Vinci - Mona Lisa - 1503–1506
The dude in the way
March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre - Leonardo da Vinci - Mona Lisa - 1503–1506  - Joyful Stephanie
The Louvre – Leonardo da Vinci – Mona Lisa – 1503–1506

Almost Forgotten in the Crowd

The below two paintings are in the same room as Mona Lisa.

Our tour guide made a point of showing us the Wedding at Cana.

The other painting I quickly took a photo of but did not have time to know more about it as the tour moved on to another location.

Paolo Caliari, known as Paolo Veronese – The Wedding at Cana – 1563.

Napoleon stole the painting of “The Wedding at Cana” from Italy.  

In this painting,  it captures the exact moment when Jesus is performing the miracle of turning water to wine.

March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre - Paolo Caliari, known as Paolo Veronese - The Wedding at Cana - 1563.
The Louvre – Paolo Caliari, known as Paolo Veronese – The Wedding at Cana – 1563.

The Red Rooms

After the Mona Lisa and the Wedding at Cana, we entered the Red Rooms.

Named after its majestic red walls, the Red Rooms are home to the largest paintings in the Louvre. Showcased here are the works of some of the greatest French artists from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, including Jaques-Louis David, Eugène Delacroix, and Théodore Géricault.

Jacques-Louis David – The Coronation of Napoleon – 1805–1807

The creepy little guy behind Napoleon, Jacques-Louis David put in honour of Napoleon.

That creepy little guy is Julius Caesar.

Napoleon was obsessed with Rome.

March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre - Jacques-Louis David - The Coronation of Napoleon - 1805–1807
The Louvre – Jacques-Louis David – The Coronation of Napoleon – 1805–1807
March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre - Jacques-Louis David - The Coronation of Napoleon - 1805–1807
The Louvre – Jacques-Louis David – The Coronation of Napoleon – 1805–1807
March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre - Jacques-Louis David - The Coronation of Napoleon - 1805–1807  - Julius Caesar behind Napoleon
The Louvre – Jacques-Louis David – The Coronation of Napoleon – 1805–1807 – Julius Caesar behind Napoleon

Théodore Géricault – The Raft of the Medusa – 1818–1819

The Raft of the Medusa is an oil painting by the French Romantic painter and lithographer Théodore Géricault. The painting depicts the aftermath of the 1816 wreck of the French Royal Navy frigate the Medusa, which ran aground off the coast of Senegal. Because of a shortage of lifeboats, some 150 survivors embarked on a raft and were decimated by starvation during a 13-day ordeal, which descended into savagery. The painting is considered an icon of French Romanticism.

Eugène Delacroix – Liberty Leading the People – 1830

A painting by Eugène Delacroix commemorating the July Revolution of 1830, which toppled King Charles X of France.

March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre - Eugène Delacroix - Liberty Leading the People - 1830
The Louvre – Eugène Delacroix – Liberty Leading the People – 1830

Paul Delaroche – The Young Martyr – 1855

The Young Martyr represents both emphasis on historical accuracy and flair for drama and emotionality. It depicts the historical martyrdom of a Christian woman, while, at the same time, an otherworldly halo, emanating above the Martyr’s forehead. It is based on the Romantic style of genre painting.

March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre - Paul Delaroche - The Young Martyr - 1855

Venus de Milo – 150 – 125 BC

An ancient Greek sculpture from the Hellenistic period, depicting a Greek goddess. It is one of the most famous works of ancient Greek sculpture.

Aphrodite, known as the “Venus de Milo” is an original greek statue that is over 2000 years old dating back between 130 and 100 BC.

March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre - Venus de Milo - 150 - 125 BC
The Louvre – Venus de Milo – 150 – 125 BC
March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre - Venus de Milo - 150 - 125 BC - Profile
The Louvre – Venus de Milo – 150 – 125 BC – Profile
March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre - Venus de Milo - 150 - 125 BC - Back
The Louvre – Venus de Milo – 150 – 125 BC – Back

Michelangelo – Dying Slave – 1513–1516

Crafted in the early 16th century, this pair of sculptures were originally part of a papal commission. Ultimately left unfinished and omitted from the final design, the Rebellious Slave and the Dying Slave  stand as symbols of Michelangelo’s “quest for absolute truth in art.”

March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre - Michelangelo - Dying Slave - 1513–1516
The Louvre – Michelangelo – Dying Slave – 1513–1516
March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre - Michelangelo - Dying Slave - 1513–1516
The Louvre – Michelangelo – Dying Slave – 1513–1516

Michelangelo – Rebellious Slave – 1513

March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre - Michelangelo - Rebellious Slave - 1513
The Louvre – Michelangelo – Rebellious Slave – 1513

Antonio Canova – Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss – 1787

Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss is a sculpture by Italian artist Antonio Canova first commissioned in 1787 by Colonel John Campbell. It is regarded as a masterpiece of Neoclassical sculpture. It shows the mythological lovers at a moment of great emotion, characteristic of the emerging movement of Romanticism. It represents the god Cupid in the height of love and tenderness, immediately after awakening the lifeless Psyche with a kiss. The story of Cupid and Psyche is taken from Lucius Apuleius’ Latin novel The Golden Ass, and was popular in art.

March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre - Antonio Canova - Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss - 1787
The Louvre – Antonio Canova – Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss – 1787
March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre - Antonio Canova - Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss - 1787
The Louvre – Antonio Canova – Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss – 1787

Giovanni Battista Foggini – Wild Boar – 1684

March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre - Giovanni Battista Foggini  - Wild Boar - 1684
The Louvre – Giovanni Battista Foggini – Wild Boar – 1684

Diana of Versailles

The last stop of the tour was in the oldest room in the Louvre Palace at 500 years old.  This room is where all kings and queens who lived in the grand palace over the centuries, danced.  

The statue of “Diana of Versailles”, is in this room.

Diana is represented at the hunt, hastening forward, as if in pursuit of game. She looks toward the right and with raised right arm is about to draw an arrow from her quiver. Her left arm has been restored, and a deer has been added at her feet, although one might have expected a dog. Her left hand is holding a small cylindrical fragment, which may be part of what was once a bow. She wears a short Dorian chiton, a himation around her waist, and sandals. Her second toes are longer than her big toes, known as Morton’s Toe.

It is a partially restored Roman copy (1st or 2nd century AD) of a lost Greek bronze original attributed to Leochares, c. 325 BC.

March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre - Diana of Versailles
The Louvre – Diana of Versailles

Satyres en Atlante

What is a satyr?

In Greek mythology, a satyr is a male nature spirit with ears and a tail resembling those of a horse, as well as a permanent, exaggerated erection. They are often depicted as companions of Dionysus, the god of wine and celebration. Satyrs are known for their love of wine and women, and they are often depicted in art as playing music or dancing. They are also sometimes associated with fertility and the wildness of nature.

March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre - Rome - Marble - Satyres en Atlante
The Louvre – Rome – Marble – Satyres en Atlante

Bust of Satyr

March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre - Bust of Satyr
The Louvre – Bust of Satyr
March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre - Face of Dancing Satyr
The Louvre – Face of Dancing Satyr

Random Faces

March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre
March 30th, 2016 - Paris, France - 1st Arrondissement - The Louvre

Ceilings

Aah… Paris…

S, 🇫🇷

March Break – 2016 – Paris, France

Paris, France – Arriving

Paris, France – Quai Malaquais, Le Café des Beaux Arts, Place de la Concorde, Riding the Roue de Paris, Passerelle de Solférino – Love Lock Bridge

Paris, France – Dinner at Au Chai de L’Abbaye

Paris, France – Easter Monday in Paris, Ile de la Cite – The Heart of Paris, Notre Dame and Ile Saint-Louis

Paris, France – La Palette,Yann Arthus-Bertrand & Musee d’Orsay

Paris, France – Les Deux Magots, Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Pres and YellowKorner La Hune Saint-Germain

Paris, France – The Louvre Museum

Paris, France – A Rainy Day in The Marais

Paris, France – The Eiffel Tower

Paris, France – Another Evening at Au Chai de l’Abbaye

Paris, France – Saint-Germain-des-Prés, The Latin Quarter, Place Saint – Michel Public Square, and Gastronomic Delights

Paris, France – I Hope To See You Again, My Friend

One Comment Add yours

  1. mama says:

    The 1888 Van Gogh “Starry Night” is very dear to DV & i. Thank you for that it meant a lot. From the spectacular architecture,to the art piece of St. Anne,Mary & baby Jesus would have made nanny smile, made me think of us. There are so many beautiful pieces of art…how to pick one? I think i will go with The Mona Lisa and my beautiful daughter both smiling. This journey, as seen through your eyes of The Louvre was a gift indeed. Hope Michael enjoyed it as well. Love you lots. mama & DV xoxo

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