There is no need to remind us of what we miss about life before the coronavirus spread through the world. But still, we adapted: a lot of people are working from their homes, children go to online school, when we miss our friends and want to see their faces, we get on a video call. The world has gotten used to doing everything through a screen. Including visiting museums!
So many pieces of art and history are now collecting dust, sitting in the dark behind closed doors. But they don’t fulfill their purpose if they are not seen. That is why a lot of museums have updated their websites and made their collections available online. Including The Louvre, which recently announced that they are opening their online data base to the public. And now more than 482,000 works of art are available to anyone to look at any time from the comfort of their home for free.
More info: The Louvre Museum
#1 Monna Lisa By Leonardo Da Vinci (1503 - 1518)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
The Louvre is the most visited museum in the world. In 2019, it was visited by 9.6 million people and even with the pandemic, which caused people to travel less, it still received 2.7 million visitors. Though the museum was closed for 6 months in 2020 and the number of visitors plummeted, its website louvre.fr, however, was visited 21 million times.
The managers of the website noticed this growth in online visitors and have been updating it. Now it is easier to use, divided into three sections, and optimized to be friendly to smartphone users.
#2 Portrait Of The Artist And His Brother Achilles By Devéria, Eugène (1836)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#3 Subject Taken From Cromwell's Story By Hippolyte Bruyères (1832)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
But the big project for which you will be even more excited is the collections.louvre.fr database, which contains 482,000 pieces from the museum. This database is designed both for art lovers and researchers, so depending on someone’s needs, there are more simple and more advanced search tools. Also, the database continues to grow and more pieces are added from the collection.
On the website, you can explore through categories, for example, paintings or sculptures, or you can choose to go through themed albums, like ‘Kings, Queens and Emperors.’ A fun and interesting feature is the interactive map of the museum where you can virtually explore separate rooms.
#4 The Interesting Student By Gérard, Marguerite (Around 1786)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#5 Dais De Charles VII: Two Angels Holding A Crown By Jacob De Littemont (1425 - 1450)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#6 Hyacinthe Collin De Vermont, Painter By Roslin, Alexandre (1753)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
The almost half a million exhibits include works from the Louvre and the Musée National Eugène-Delacroix, sculptures from the Tuileries and Carrousel gardens, and ‘MNR’ works (Musées Nationaux Récupération, or National Museums Recovery). The latter works were found after World War II and they are stored temporarily until they can be returned to their true owners from which they were looted.
Also, the database includes pieces that not only are displayed in the museum, but that are on loan in other museums, or in storage. So you can access the whole collection that you wouldn’t even be able to see in real life just with a touch of your fingertip. And there is no catch—it is completely free! Plus, you don’t need to wait in line or try to get through the crowd to see the more famous paintings.
#7 Interview Of Napoleon I And Queen Louise Of Prussia In Tilsitt, July 6, 1807 By Berthon, René Théodore (1810)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#8 Presumed Portrait Of The Artist Presenting That Of A Soldier By Le Brun, Charles (1640 - 1660)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#9 Bayard Defends A Bridge Over The Garigliano, 1505 By Philippoteaux, Félix (1839)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
No doubt, the most famous art piece in the Louvre is Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. When the museum was open, this painting was always surrounded by a crowd. But there are so many more to see. The second most visited work is the statue Venus de Milo, which attracts with its mystery. The Louvre holds the Death Of The Virgin by Caravaggio, another of da Vinci’s works, The Virgin Of The Rock, the famous Liberty Leading The People by Eugène Delacroix, and many more. Now, when the whole collection is public and can be seen for free, it’s a splendid opportunity to discover new or rediscover old treasures.
#10 Statue, Basse Epoque (After Style) (-664 - -332)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#11 Mummiform Funeral Servant With Hidden Hands, End Of The 12th Dynasty; Nymaâtrê Amenemhat III; Early 13th Dynasty (Attribution According To Style) (-1862 - -1757)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#12 Interview Between Napoleon I And Francis II Of Austria, December 4, 1805 By Prud'hon, Pierre-Paul (1809)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
Sadly, the physical Louvre is still closed due to the measures the French government took to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and the opening date is unknown. The majority of museums around the world are closed and around 6 percent have had to close permanently because they couldn’t survive financially. Even though this project of putting the collection online won’t bring money to the Louvre, it will feed people’s souls, because that’s what we need right now.
#13 Marie-Louise Of Austria, Empress Of The French (1791-1847) By Lefèvre, Robert (1812 - 1814)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#14 Louis XVIII Witnesses The Return Of The Spanish Army From The Tuileries, December 2, 1823 By Ducis, Louis (1823 - 1824)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#15 Reception Of The Duke Of Anjou By The Patriarch Of Venice At San Nicola Di Lido, July 18, 1564 By Michieli, Andrea (1564 - 1600)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#16 The Queens Of Persia At The Feet Of Alexander/The Tent Of Darius By Le Brun, Charles (1661)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#17 Textile Decor, Byzantine Period (Attribution According To Style) (395 - 641), Egypt
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#18 Merovingian Ring From Herpes, In Cloisonne Goldsmith's Work By Anonymous (Around 480 - 630)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#19 Textile Decor, Byzantine Period (Attribution According To Style) (395 - 641), East Bank Of Middle Egypt
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#20 Textile Decor, Byzantine Period (Attribution According To Style) (395 - 641), Egypt
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#21 Weaving Exercise, Byzantine Period (395 - 641)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#22 Shawl; Hanging, Byzantine Period (Attribution According To Style) (395 - 641)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#23 Polygonal Pearl, Roman Period (-30 - 395), Middle East
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#24 Pearl
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#25 Amulet, New Empire (After Style) (-1550 - -1069)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#26 Scaraboid; Cauroid Pearl, Lower Egypt, Eastern Delta
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#27 3 Row Necklace; Spherical Pearl; Fusiform Pearl; Club Pearl, End Of The 18th Dynasty; New Kingdom (Attribution According To Style) (-1550 - -1069)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#28 Simple Single-Sided Oudjat Amulet, Lower Egypt, Eastern Delta
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#29 Scarab; Circled Kitten Ring, Ramses II (From Text) (-1279 - -1213)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#30 Pendant, Unknown
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#31 Cauroid Bead With String And Stops, Second Intermediate Period (According To Style) (-1786 - -1540)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#32 Amulet; Applies; Inlay, Ptolemaic Period (Attribution According To Style) (-332 - -30)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#33 Portrait Of Fath Ali Shah By Mihr Ali Painter (1800 - 1806)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#34 Portrait Of The Artist As A Hunter By Desportes, Alexandre-François (1699)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#35 Louis Xiv (1638-1715) By Rigaud, Hyacinthe (1701)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#36 Portrait Of The Artist Holding A Thistle By Dürer, Albrecht (1493)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#37 Denis Diderot (1713-1784), Writer By Van Loo, Louis-Michel (1767)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#38 Plate: Emperor Vitellius On Horseback By Limosin, Jean Emailleur, (Around 1620)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#39 Fossin Cup Lid (Rfml.oa.2020.13.1.1) By Morel, Jean-Valentin; Fossin, Jean-Baptiste; Fossin, Jules (1843)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#40 Fossin Cup (And Its Cover Rfml.oa.2020.13.1.2) By Morel, Jean-Valentin; Fossin, Jean-Baptiste; Fossin, Jules (1843)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#41 Chest, Byzantine Period (395 - 641)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#42 Georges Cadoudal By Coutan, Amable Paul (1827)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#43 Lion Known As "De Monzon"; Fountain Mouth, 12th Century; 13th Century, Spain
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#44 Figurine, Basse Epoque (Attribution According To Style) (-664 - -332)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#45 Akhem Bird Figurine; Statue Of Ptah-Sokar-Osiris, Basse Epoque (Attribution According To Style) (-664 - -332)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#46 Figurine, XXXth Dynasty; Low Period (Attribution According To Style) (-664 - -332)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#47 Akhem Bird Figurine; Statue Of Ptah-Sokar-Osiris; Statue, Basse Epoque (Attribution According To Style) (-664 - -332)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#48 Figurine, Roman Period (Attribution According To Style) (-30 - 395)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#49 Mummiform Funeral Servant, New Empire (Attribution According To Style) (-1550 - -1069)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#50 Cube Statue, 17th Dynasty (Attribution According To Style) (-1630 - -1550)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#51 Basket; Basket Cover (The Cover May Not Belong To The Basket)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#52 Rectangular Chest; Zippered Lid Cabinet, Hatchepsout; Thutmosis III (Excavation Context) (-1479 - -1425)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#53 Textile Decor, Byzantine Period (Attribution According To Style) (395 - 641), Egypt
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#54 Piece Of Furniture; Applied, Caliphate Rashidun; Umayyads; Abbasids (641 - 800)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#55 Decorative Elements; Piece Of Furniture; Box ; Applied, Roman Period (300 - 399)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#56 Wafer; Piece Of Furniture; Wall Mounted Cabinet; Tabletterie; Inlay, Roman Period; Byzantine Period (300 - 499)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#57 Piece Of Furniture; Veneer Rod, Byzantine Period (395 - 600)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#58 Wafer; Piece Of Furniture; Box ; Applied, Bas Empire; Theodosians; Thracians (300 - 499)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#59 Basket (Interior Reinforced By A Frame (1 Metal Circle And A Rod))
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#60 Rectangular Chest; Zippered Lid Cabinet, Noubkaourê Amenemhat II (Inscription/Dedication/Signature) (-1901 - -1866)
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#61 Weaving Exercise, Byzantine Period (Attribution According To Style) (395 - 641), Egypt
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#62 Hanging, Byzantine Period (Attribution According To Style) (395 - 641), Egypt
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#63 Textile Decor, Byzantine Period (Attribution According To Style) (395 - 641), Egypt
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
#64 Hanging, Byzantine Period (Attribution According To Style) (395 - 641), Egypt
Image credits: The Louvre Museum
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