Paris is one of the ultimate destinations for art and architecture lovers.
And while there are many worth seeing, theLouvreremains the most visited art museum in the world.
Housed in this historic palace are over 7,500 paintings.
What is the Louvre?
Located in Paris, France, the historic art institution has existed for about 800 years.
Its origins begin in the 12th century when King Philippe Auguste wanted to fortify Paris with a wrap-around wall.
Photo of the Louvre Museum, Paris (Photo: outline205/DepositPhotos)
However, due to the Seine river, the border was left partially open.
To compensate for this weakness, a castle was built by the wall.
Afterward, the galleries were used to house the king’s art collection.
Giotto, “St. Francis of Assisi Receiving the Stigmata,” c. 1295–1300 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
How many paintings are in the Louvre?
The Louvre contains over 7,500 paintings, many of which are byFrench artists.
Famous Paintings in the Louvre
Giotto,St.
Raphael, “Saint Michael Vanquishing Satan,” 1518 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
His naturalistic paintings set the foundation for successors like Botticelli and Michelangelo.
Raphael,St.
Despite only living to 37 years of age, he left behind an influential body of work.
Leonardo da Vinci, “Virgin of the Rocks,” c. 1483–1486 (Photo:LouvreviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
It symbolizes the triumph of good over evil.
She is shown seated in aloggia, or a room with at least one open side.
However, he also left behind a portfolio of masterpieces.
Leonardo da Vinci, “The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne,” c. 1501–1519 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
His paintingThe Battle Between Love and Chastitywas completed for the Marchesa of Mantua, Isabella d’Este.
It depicts a struggle between the symbolic figures of Love and Chastity in tempera.
It put a stylized twist on classicism by elongating figures and placing them in intentionally perfect arrangements.
Leonardo da Vinci, “The Mona Lisa,” c. 1503–6 (Photo:LouvreviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
This interest in unnatural symmetry can be seen inThe Wedding Feast at Cana.
It was brought to the Louvre after the French Revolutionary Wars in the 18th century.
One of the artists responsible for creating the key features of this style is the Italian painterCaravaggio.
Andrea Mantegna, “Minerva Expelling the Vices from the Garden of Virtue,” 1502 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
However, due to the unconventional depiction of the Virgin Mary, the painting was rejected by the commissioner.
One of the artists that emerged from this period wasJohannes Vermeer.
He very likely used acamera obscura a popular artist’s deviceto help him execute the composition of the piece.
Pietro Perugino, “Combat of Love and Chastity,” 1503 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
During that time he oversaw the construction of one of the gems of France: the Palace of Versailles.
Hyacinthe Rigaud immortalized the Sun King’s likeness in thePortrait of Louis XIV.
Originally intended for his grandson, the painting became the official portrait of Louis XIV and his best-known depiction.
Attributed to Titian and/or Giorgione, “The Pastoral Concert,” 1509 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Roman and Ancient Greece) aesthetics, principles, and subject matter.
The art of French painterJacques-Louis Davidthe leader of the stylerepresents the characteristics of Neoclassical painting.
The painting’s use of scale and drama makes it a cornerstone of French Romanticism.
Veronese, “The Wedding at Cana,” 1563 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
It was completed when the artist was 83 years old.
Find out where more famous art is located in ourguide.
Caravaggio, “Death of the Virgin,” c. 1604–1606 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Georges de La Tour, “The Card Sharp with the Ace of Diamonds,” c. 1635 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons,CC BY-SA 4.0)
Nicolas Poussin, “The Abduction of the Sabine Women,” 1637–1638 (Photo: Louvre viaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Johannes Vermeer, “The Lacemaker,” c. 1669–1671 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Hyacinthe Rigaud, “Portrait of Louis XIV,” c. 1700–1701 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Jacques-Louis David, “The Oath of the Horatii,” 1784 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Jacques-Louis David, “The Coronation of Napoleon,” 1805–1807 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Théodore Géricault, “The Raft of The Medusa,” 1818–9 (Photo:LouvreviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Delacroix, “Dante and Virgill in Hell,” 1822 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Eugène Delacroix, “Liberty Leading the People,” 1830 (Photo:LouvreviaWikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, “The Turkish Bath,” 1862 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
