The greatest masterpieces of the Louvre
No matter if you're an art connoisseur or just passing through, visiting the Louvre is an experience not to be missed. Boasting 600,000 square feet of galleries and collections, it's one of the world's most visited museums.
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The Mona Lisa
Mona Lisa continues to fascinate art admirers and scholars alike with her captivating beauty. She's one of the most iconic paintings in existence, drawing thousands upon thousands of visitors daily to learn about her captivating story.
Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece, the Mona Lisa, remains unsigned or dated. The only written history of its creation can be traced back to 16th century painter Giorgio Vasari's account of it in his biographer's notebook.
Her mysterious smile continues to be debated and analyzed to this day. The portrait showcases Mannerist artistry at its finest, perfectly replicating life with grace.
Da Vinci's Mona Lisa artwork displays his mastery of da Vinci's sfumato technique, an artful use of subtle light and shadow that produces a soft, hazy effect in both her face and background landscape. This subtle painting technique allows him to achieve such delicate details such as freckles on her cheeks.
French government art experts are now studying a charcoal sketch of an unclothed woman that bears striking resemblance to the Mona Lisa, in hopes of verifying if it was painted by the Renaissance master himself. If so, this could provide us with an insightful new insight into one of history's great artists' works.
The Venus de Milo
The Venus de Milo, one of the greatest masterpieces in history, has captivated visitors to the Louvre for over two hundred years. She epitomizes Greek art with its combination of elegance and sensuality.
This stunning white marble sculpture stands 6 feet, 8 inches tall and was crafted from Parian marble. It is believed to depict Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty.
In 1820, French diplomats discovered a statue on the Greek island of Melos (now Milos). On March 18, 1821 King Louis XVIII presented it to the Louvre in Paris.
At the time of its discovery, France and the Louvre were facing an urgent crisis: Napoleon had pillaged much of their collection of classical art, leaving France with a gaping hole in their collections. To fill this void, they went to great lengths to conceal information regarding Venus de Milo's true location.
The Winged Victory of Samothrace
The Winged Victory of Samothrace, one of the world's most beloved sculptures, has been displayed at the Louvre since 1884. Crafted out of marble during the 2nd century BC, it has been described as "the greatest masterpiece" of Hellenistic sculpture.
The goddess of victory stands atop the prow of a ship and looks out over the Sanctuary of the Great Gods on Samothrace in Greece, believed to commemorate an ancient Rhodian naval triumph.
Charles Champoiseau first discovered it in 1863 and sent it to Paris for analysis and restoration. The legs, lower torso and right wing were displayed at the Louvre while its base was recreated with plaster.
Figma brings the Winged Victory of Samothrace to life for your collection with its smooth yet posable joints, offering classic poses featuring her iconic wings as well as multiple action shots that capture all the beauty of this majestic piece.
The Apollo Belvedere
Greek and Roman mythology hold Apollo to be the pinnacle of masculine beauty. In this sculpture, Apollo is depicted as a male figure wearing a cloak and holding an arrow in his hand.
The creator of this statue remains unknown, though it was most likely created during Rome's reign. It appears to be a copy of an original bronze sculpture by Greek artist Leochares who also produced Apollo Belvedere which was rediscovered in 1511.
Once discovered in Rome, the statue was immediately transferred to the Vatican Museums where it still resides today. For years it has been a prominent fixture within the Courtyard of Statues at the Vatican.
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