Louvre Museum - this is the greatest collection of priceless works of art.The size and importance of the exhibits, he competes with only a few no less famous collection of rarities: the Hermitage, the British and the Cairo Museum.The Louvre in Paris - one of the most visited attractions.Like the Eiffel Tower, this museum - a symbol of the French capital.
Hindsight
Louvre Museum has a long and interesting history.Those who are fond of the novels of Alexandre Dumas, know that it is constantly referred to them, but as a palace.Indeed, for many years, the Louvre was the residence of the French kings.
It was founded in the XII century in the lower reaches of the Seine as part of strengthening the security against attacks of enemies during the reign of King Philip Augustus.Later, when the threat of attack on the city from this side passed, the Louvre, the photo of which can be seen below, was used as a royal palace.Remains of ancient walls can still be seen in the museum.
in the XVI century, began a large-scale restructuring of the old fortress.To it they were added to the two wings, and is then combined with the Tuileries Palace.Over the next hundred years, the area of the Louvre has increased four times.In 1871, during the revolutionary events of the Tuileries Palace was burned rebellious Parisians.The remaining pavilions now part of the museum complex.
At the end of the XVII century, Louis XIV suddenly lost interest in the palace and decided to build himself a new magnificent country residence - Versailles.Louvre is virtually deserted, and since then there are offers to turn it into a museum.And while there were located administrative offices and artists' studios.For the museum's collection was offered to use a large gallery, pre-erecting it glazed ceiling for good lighting exhibits.
stunning Louvre - France received its long-awaited Museum
When King Louis XV of France was drafted by the transformation of the Louvre and the Museum of the base of it.For the first time its doors opened to the public in 1793, during the French Revolution.Ordinary Parisians were able to see the richest collection of artworks of their rulers.
After coming to power of Napoleon Bonaparte in the old residence of the kings of France to re-energize the construction work - began the construction of the north wing of the museum.
Louvre Museum to a large extent owes its appearance to the first Emperor of France - Napoleon Bonaparte.
brilliant politician, he understood the value of art and how it can influence the masses.During the reign of Napoleon, Louvre Museum bore his name.Trips to Egypt and to the East will create a beautiful collection of art of the regions of the world.The triumphal march of the armies of the French Emperor in Europe was accompanied by looting of cultural property to the defeated countries.Selected works of art add to the collection of the Louvre.After the defeat at Waterloo, France had to recover some items.
After the events of the Paris Commune Louvre (photo museum can be seen below) gets all the usual features.
administrative offices, which have been in the Louvre, is gradually being squeezed out of it.By 1980 years the museum has received at the disposal of the whole vast complex of buildings.Then began the last to date, the process of reconstruction of the territory.
Pyramid - adored or hated?
Louvre Museum in Paris has always been famous for its unconventional approach and innovative ideas.In 1985, work began on the construction of a new main entrance to the building.They led the architect Io Ming Pei, the project which visitors had to get into the Louvre through the huge glass pyramid in the courtyard of Napoleon.Three small pyramids, which are nearby, are the portholes.
Initially, the project was met with hostility by the Parisians, and was sharply criticized.After the construction of the pyramid revealed that she suddenly organically joined the Museum, and give it a complete, elegant, but at the same time avant-garde look.
prototype structures (Pyramid of Cheops) and a choice of installing it in the yard of Napoleon symbolic - the first French Emperor did a lot to turn the Louvre into a museum of world importance, and his trophies brought from Egypt, became the basis for one of the best collections.
now famous pyramid of the Louvre has become another symbol of France, and the debate about its appropriateness still continues to this day.Someone thinks that it offends their avant-garde museum and unusual, but many French people liked the combination of old and new.Opinion tourists uniquely - the pyramid gives them a delight.Since its inception the annual number of visitors to the Louvre has increased several times.
basis of the museum's collection
Many French rulers were great connoisseurs of art.They collected the magnificent collection of paintings and statues.It is, first of all, Francis I, who was fond of the culture of the Renaissance, and surrounded himself with scholars and people of art.At his request, I went to France by Leonardo da Vinci, who became a close friend of the governor.Many famous artists of the Renaissance created a picture of his orders.Italian paintings, especially the "Mona Lisa," da Vinci, were in the collection of the Louvre thanks to Francis I. Some of the exhibits - Louis XIV acquired paintings by famous artists.
huge number of valuable items Museum received during the Napoleonic wars of conquest of France.This is the Egyptian collection.
Who art in the Louvre, there are about 300 thousand.Of these available for visitors of about 35 000. Many of the exhibits can only be in special storage and are available for viewing for a short period.Therefore, the Louvre often arranges special exhibitions, which represent rare art objects that are inaccessible for direct viewing.Reviews of them are always the most enthusiastic.
Exhibits: a collection of world masterpieces
work around all the rooms of the Louvre Museum when visiting physically impossible.For a leisurely inspection of its exhibits need a few days.If not, you can develop a route in advance, in time to see at least the most famous works of art stored in it:
1. «Mona Lisa" - a masterpiece of Leonardo da Vinci.This is a picture, not hiding a secret.For those who see it for the first time, a surprise is the small size of the canvas.
2. Sculptures of the Louvre - a real treasure of the ancient masters.But there are unsurpassed masterpiece - the Venus de Milo.She was found in 1820 on the Turkish island of Milos (hence its name) and hardly exported to France.The Turkish government later very sorry that allowed to buy back the statue.
3. Nike of Samothrace - another example of excellence of Greek sculptors.Like the Venus de Milo statue badly damaged, but even in such a museum impresses visitors with its beauty.
4. The famous painting by Jacques-Louis David - favorite artist of the first emperor of France - "The Coronation of Napoleon" is to devote her time.The painting is large and striking in its scale.
Where is the museum
It is located in the heart of Paris, in its historical part.Rue de Rivoli on the right bank of the Seine - there is a huge museum complex.
How to get into it
went to France and did not see the Louvre - inexcusable for cultural human error.This museum - one of the most important tourist destinations.This means long queues, you can lose a few hours.They are caused by tight security: security check bags, frames, metal detectors.Tickets can be purchased at the Louvre museum box office or in advance.The second option is more convenient because it allows you to jump the queue.Tickets purchased in advance for an unlimited period, allowing you to choose to visit the museum any convenient day.For those who are under 18, free entrance.
famous museum in film and literature
Louvre is so great cultural significance that he has long been an object of inspiration.A huge number of paintings were devoted to him, he is mentioned in many literary works and films.A striking example - the book became a bestseller - "The Da Vinci Code" by Dan Brown.Start all events it is directly connected with the museum.And the story ends here.
Louvre - part of the great heritage of the past, he cherishes the treasures of human genius art.
