The Louvre

The Louvre in Paris, France is one of the largest art museums in the world. It contains some of the world’s most famous paintings, including Leonardo Da Vinci’s "Mona Lisa." Other paintings by Rembrandt, Raphael, and Peter Paul Rubens are also in the museum. The museum is divided into seven curatorial departments: Oriental, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Objet d’Art, Drawing, and Prints. The museum also publishes a magazine, which talks about new exhibits and other museums.

King Francis I built the Louvre in 1546, with the design of French architect Pierre Lescot. After that, other monarchs made additions, which formed the Louvre as we know it. It was originally built to serve as the monarch’s palace, but in 1682, King Louis XIV left it to live in the newly constructed Palace of Versailles. Then came the French Revolution in which the rebels imprisoned Louis XIV’s family in the Louvre for trying to flee the country.

Since then, new wings have opened throughout the museum, including the newly opened Richelieu wing. Newer, more modern artwork has been added, such as American artist I.M. Pie’s pyramid entrance. All this makes it one of the world’s best museums. The "Mona Lisa" alone is worth the price of admission.

Andrew