THE MOST FAMOUS PAINTINGS IN THE LOUVRE: WHAT YOU MUST SEE!

Art, Museums & Exhibitions

Art is a conduit for emotions. It serves as the outcome of an artist baring their innermost thoughts and sentiments on canvas, inviting all to witness, although comprehension may elude many.

If you are one of those who gawk at a work of art, read on because we show you what works you must see at the Louvre Museum! The most famous paintings in the world are here!

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THE MOST FAMOUS PAINTINGS IN THE LOUVRE

No matter how many times you visit Paris, the Louvre paintings and statues always surprise you. Discover the paintings you cannot miss!

Liberty Leading The People- 1831 (Eugène Delacroix)

Delacroix is widely known as one of the foremost painters of the Romantic era in France. In his time and place, he held a status comparable to that of Bernini or Michelangelo, which is why he occupies a prominent position on this list.

The painting serves as an allegorical representation of the 1830 revolution, a pivotal moment in French history. At its core, Liberty takes center stage as a central figure, with a bared chest, holding the Tricolore flag of France. This flag, which the militia carried when storming the Bastille, replaced the previous blue flag adorned with the golden fleur-de-lis and continues to be in use today.

The figure of Liberty, however, is not unique to this artwork. She stands in the Upper Bay of New York/New Jersey, just outside Manhattan. This iconic representation of Liberty has its roots in ancient Greek imagery, with her semi-nude appearance likely harking back to historical references from Ancient Greece, reminiscent of the Winged Victory of Samothrace, sculpted over 2000 years earlier, another work of art you should see.

The individuals standing alongside Liberty symbolize a united front across different social classes. Within the same line, you can identify a member of the French upper class wearing a top hat, a factory worker, a student, and representatives of various professions, all standing shoulder to shoulder.

This painting holds a preeminent status within the Louvre for several compelling reasons. Firstly, Delacroix masterfully captures the essence of lifelike human figures, enabling viewers to become deeply engrossed in the emotional narrative. The story it conveys feels genuine, and passionate, and evokes a sense of connection, as if the events occurred just yesterday, and you are somehow a part of them. It undeniably ranks among the most renowned artworks in the Louvre.

The Raft Of Medusa – 1819 (Théodore Géricault)

“The Raft of Medusa” catapulted Géricault to instant fame, elevating his status to that of a celebrity. The artwork portrays a scene aboard a raft, populated by individuals who had endured the harrowing ordeal of a shipwreck. The painting serves as a damning indictment of a French Naval frigate that callously disregarded their desperate pleas for assistance. It vividly captures the subsequent horrors that likely unfolded, including disturbing events such as cannibalism and rampant hysteria.

This period marked the zenith of French Romanticism, akin to the Baroque era, characterized by a penchant for highly sensationalized scenes imbued with profound narratives.

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Coronation Of Napoleon – (Jacques-Louis David)

This monumental masterpiece spans approximately 30 feet in width and 22 feet in height, granting viewers the privilege of scrutinizing the individual expressions adorning each person depicted. David faced the formidable challenge of portraying Napoleon, a figure who, while smaller in stature compared to other men, possessed a larger-than-life presence.

Death Of The Virgin – 1601-06 (Caravaggio)

Caravaggio’s depiction of the momentous scene involving the Queen of Christendom is arguably one of the most authentic renditions. The painting brims with raw emotion, featuring barefoot characters, solemn expressions, and a Mary devoid of vibrant colors, eschewing the idealized fantasy often associated with the Virgin’s final earthly moments. As a result, it faced rejection.

One can discern the palpable emotions etched on the faces of the Apostles as they gaze upon her, their doubt and uncertainty writ large. With the passing of the Virgin Mary, the last tangible connection to Jesus Christ had dissolved, leaving them in solitude. Mary Magdalene stands beside her, her head in her hands—a symbol of shared doubt and apprehension, mirrored by two other Apostles.

Peter, though not entirely recognizable through conventional symbols like the keys to heaven, is presumably at her side, positioned behind the two melancholic and skeptical Apostles. Despite the ambiguity, his countenance exudes urgency and confidence. Peter, as the successor to Jesus and the first pope, would bear the responsibility of unifying the group at this moment of profound change.

David With The Head Of Goliath – 1606 (Guido Reni)

Guido Reni, a brilliant artist from the late Italian Renaissance and early Baroque period, elevated canvas painting to a new level, and this particular artwork serves as a testament to his prowess. The painting depicts the iconic narrative of David, on the brink of becoming King, beheading the formidable giant Goliath.

The Wedding Feast At Cana – 1563 (Veronese)

The Wedding at Cana is a superb painting that captures a scene of biblical significance, where Jesus, at the behest of Mary, performed the miracle of turning water into wine. A little tip, enjoy this masterpiece as you wait in the queue to reach the Mona Lisa.

“The Battles” Of The Granicus River (Charles Le Brun)

Charles Le Brun was King Louis XIV’s favored artist, and the king commissioned four immense paintings. When we first encountered one of these colossal artworks, “The Battle of the Granicus River,” it immediately brought to mind Raphael’s “The Room of Constantine” in the Vatican Museum.

This collection of paintings illustrates the grand battles of Alexander the Great, to whom Louis XIV humbly likened himself.

La Gioconda, Mona Lisa – 1503-5 (Leonardo da Vinci)

When it comes to sheer renown, there’s no denying that the Mona Lisa deserves the top spot on this list.

The Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, is fundamentally a portrait, a genre of art not intended initially to achieve international acclaim—Leonardo da Vinci himself would likely concur if he were alive today. While it may indeed be one of the finest portraits, standing alongside Raphael’s “Girl Holding a Unicorn” and ahead of Thomas Gainsborough’s “Blue Boy,” it remains, at its core, a portrait.

Artists primarily craft portraits to immortalize the image of an individual for future generations. You’re probably already familiar with the story about the wife of Francesco del Giocondo. But the Mona Lisa’s rise to fame occurred when an Italian janitor working in the museum in the early 20th century stole it and brought it to “its homeland” in Florence.

The complication arose from the fact that the painting was already “at home” in France. Napoleon had seized a vast collection of artwork when he conquered Italy and transported it to the Louvre for exhibition. However, the Mona Lisa had already been in France since 1518, when King Francis I acquired it.

The news of a stolen da Vinci painting garnered worldwide attention, regardless of which specific da Vinci work it was because so few of his masterpieces remained. When eventually the Louvre recovered the painting, everyone simply had to see the “recovered Mona Lisa, da Vinci’s masterpiece.” Therefore, like many other phenomena, we can attribute its enigmatic fame to the influence of the media and the spread of sensational stories.

The Pastoral Concert – 1509 (Titian)

The Pastoral Concert by Titian holds symbolic significance on various levels, but it’s primarily a work of fantasy. In an era when a significant portion of the population was illiterate, paintings served as a means to construct narratives for viewers. If you had lived during the 16th century, you would likely recognize that the two nude women depicted in the painting were considered mystical apparitions.

Have you been to the Louvre? Are we missing any significant works of art? There are thousands, so most probably we are.

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