This huge,rambling Museum has collections of Oriental,Egyptian,Greek,Etruscan and Roman antiquities,scultpure,objets d'art such as porcelain and European paintings.
I avoided the crowds and the cold winds waiting above ground at the pyramid entrance by using the exit from the Palais Royal-Musee du Louvre metro station.While there still was a queue at the entrance gates to the Museum at least I could wait in warmer surroundings than above ground.
I took this shot to show what a huge place the Louvre is.Even though I set out to only see a few things it took the best part of a day to accomplish my plan.
I took but a few moments to glance at the Mona Lisa,surrounded by camera touting Chinese tourists and encased in glass which reflected the many camera flashes aimed at it.If anything did surprise me about the portrait it was how small and mundane it actually is.
I was more interested in another famous exhibit the Venus de Milo.Again it attracted a crowd of admirers often three deep as one of the ever present tour groups arrived and departed.This shot from behind shows the crowds.Im just glad I came in the off season as Im not sure Id be able to see so much or get so close to the exhibits in the peak season.
Id read about The Raft of Medusa in Julian Barnes "A History of the World in 10 and a Half Chapters" and was eager to see it for myself.Barnes describes the historical background and how Gericault went about the painting of this huge canvas.The figures depicted are life sized.You can get an idea of its scale from the people seated gazing at it.
3 comments:
You can plan a stay at the apartments near the St. Martin Canal. Some of the apartments have Internet connection, which is ideal for writers, business executives, and traveling students. For the travelers on a budget, there are also youth hostels.
I loved the Louvre, and yes Mona Lisa was tiny, wasn't she? My favorite part is all the other and just as magnificent (if not more so) works of Leonardo just outside the main hall which no one seems to stare at. You can get close and bask in them. Virgin of the Rocks. Portrait of a Musician. And Virgin Mary and St. Anne. Oh how I miss it.
Hi Farnoosh,
thanks for your comment.I think everyone has their own favourite artist or works on display at the Louvre.
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