Share this...

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Linkedin

Louvre Museum Masterpieces: Top 10 Things Not To Miss

Located in the heart of Paris, the Louvre Museum is one of the most visited museums in the world. It is home to some of the most famous artifacts and masterpieces. The exhibition space spans across more than 73,000 square meters and is divided into three sections: Denon, Richelieu, and Sully. Each wing consists of about 70 rooms filled with over 500 paintings and nearly 35,000 objects dating back to prehistoric eras.

There are plenty of wonderful places to visit in Paris and the Louvre museum is an attraction that you don’t want to miss. The building itself is a magnificent historic palace that once belonged to the French kings.

If you are buying Louvre Museum tickets, here are some of the cultural masterpieces that you really don’t want to miss.

Mona Lisa

Created by Leonardo da Vinci around 1503, the Mono Lisa is probably the most famous painting in the world. Many visit Louvre just to see the renowned painting. There are many reasons why this piece of art is so popular. The sense of mystery that surrounds it intrigues many even today. The identity of the woman portrayed is unclear. Her enigmatic smile, captivating expression, and sidewards glance have made the painting certainly the museum’s most famous work of art.

Vénus de Milo

Located in the Louvre’s Galerie des Antiques, the alluring Vénus de Milo is considered the Greek ideal of beauty. The work was created around 100BC and has since been mesmerizing observers. The stylization of the goddess statue represents many works of the Hellenistic Period. Though the missing pieces make it difficult to completely understand the statue, it still stands as a masterpiece.

Great Sphinx Of Tanis

The Great Sphinx of Tanis is also known as ‘the guardian of the Lourve Museum’. It was excavated from Tanis and is one of the largest sphinxes you will find outside Egypt. Tanis used to be the capital of Egypt during the 21st and 23rd dynasties. Although this magnificent structure has been a part of this exhibition for a very long time, archeologists still find it difficult to date it.

Psyché Ranimée par le Baiser de l’Amour

While you are visiting the sunlight-filled Galerie Michel-Ange (Room 403), the first thing to catch your eye will be the beautifully rendered Psyché Ranimée par le Baiser de l’Amour. Inspired by the mythological story from Ovid’s Metamorphoses, the sculpture has Cupid about to kiss Psyche as she falls into the spell of sleep after breaking a forbidden portion.

Sleeping Hermaphrodite

According to ancient mythology, a hermaphrodite is a female with both female and male reproductive organs. Hermaphrodites were celebrated and worshiped by the ancient Mediterranean. They even made wonderful sculptures of them. One of such is the majestic Sleeping Hermaphrodite. You can see this sculpture on the Sully Wing, room 348.

Le Couronnement de la Vierge

If you visit the Louvre’s lovely Salon Carré (Room 708), then you will understand why the Coronation of the Virgin is a true masterpiece. The art represents the style, delicacy, and brilliance of paintings during the 13th century. The painting illustrates Virgin Mary being welcomed into heaven by a crowned Christ. They are surrounded by a multitude of onlookers.

French Crown Jewels

There is no other artifact that can illustrate the grandeur and sovereignty of the wealth and power of the French monarchs like the  French Crown Jewels. These fine brilliant diamonds and emeralds are prized for their perfection. The 140-carat Regent diamond and the dazzling gems are not something that you don’t want to miss.

Captif Sculptures

Michelangelo was an artistic genius with great technical ability and remarkable emotional depth. In the spacious gallery of the Galerie Michel-Ange (Room 403), two of his most stunning sculptures, L’Esclave Mourant (The Dying Slave) and the L’Esclave Rebelle (The Rebellious Slave). The works were initially planned to be part of the tomb for Pope Julius II. However, it was discarded due to delays. This is the reason why the work remains unfinished. There are even chisel marks from the great artist still visible on these statues.

Le Tricheur à l’As de Carreau

Belonging to France’s 17th-century Peintres de la Réalité (Painters of Reality), Le Tricheur à l’As de Carreau or The Cheat with the Ace of Diamonds is a moral drama about the sins of lust, liquor, and gambling. It has a fine way of showcasing the subtle details and expression of human emotions. As a spectator, the painting will generate a sense of curiosity and anticipation in you about what could happen next.

Chevaux de Marly

Commissioned by King Louis XIV for the Château de Marly horse pond, The Chevaux de Marly (Marly Horses) is a larger-than-life, monumental marble structure of two horses getting restrained. It is very evident that the sculptor, Guillaume Coustou took inspiration from the ancient Roman statues. However, the statue is a masterpiece for embracing its inspiration and theme to the fullest and into a timeless piece of art.