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| A Louvre Gallery with overhanging Balcony by DG Hudson |
In the old days (1800s), artists crowded the Louvre galleries to study art. They brought their easels and were observed by the visitors along with the masterpieces they studied. This is a long tradition in art schools and art studios. Go and study the masters, students are told. Students can still be seen performing this ritual.
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Watch for the Crowds
One reason not to see the Louvre Museum in a large tour group is shown below. You can't get close enough to appreciate the art or get photographs. These crowds of anywhere from 25-50 clog the space around the art. We waited until the throngs passed on, and fortunately, the Louvre isn't as crowded in late September. There are maps, so you can't get lost. Discovering the Louvre and its treasures can be an adventure.
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| Winged Victory, the Nike of Samothrace, Louvre Museum, Paris by DG Hudson |
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Esthetically Pleasing
Light, space and design define this example of one gallery with paintings of various sizes on the walls. The fantastic Raft of the Medusa is the large painting on the left side. The variety in canvas measurements varies from wall size to small size. Don't try to rush through, or you may get a case of art overload. . .
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| A long and lush Louvre gallery; Raft of the Medusa on the left, by DG Hudson |
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Gilt embellishment
In several of the galleries, the ceilings are decorated with gilt plasterwork and inlaid paintings so don't forget to look up.
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| Louvre Museum Gallery with Gilt Ceiling by DG Hudson |
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If you haven't been to the Louvre, do you ever hope to see it? (Art museums don't appeal to everyone.) Have you enjoyed this glimpse into the palace? (It's a welcoming place.)
Please leave a comment to let me know you were here, and I'll respond. Thanks for dropping by!
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References:
The Nike of Samothrace (winged Victory), marble, circa 190 BC
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Raft_of_the_Medusa - Details of the painting The Raft of the Medusa, based on a real life event
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louvre_Palace The Louvre Palace history
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louvre - Louvre Museum
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