The world's greatest museum takes readers inside its unparalleled art collection to understand
the keys to history of art. The Louvre is a training ground for the eye. With this book
readers will discover more than 400 of its masterpieces from the invention of writing up to the
middle of the nineteenth century. The richly illustrated guide organized chronologically and
with thematic entries (writing cross-cultural exchange humanity power beauty the sky
nature) offers the readers the keys inside to return again at their leisure for an amazing
stroll-in person or virtually-through this world-class museum. To be used either as a
complement to a visit or as a thorough tour of the museum for the armchair reader this guide
is designed to stimulate curiosity by bringing together works from different departments
different regions of the world and different periods in time in a way that is both
universalist and accessible. Far from traditional guides that bring together the notes of a
pre-established tour itinerary the chronological approach renews the discourse and initiates
an unprecedented dialogue between the works which are placed in a global historical and
artistic context bringing out sometimes striking similarities. The Louvre was founded as a way
to teach artistic techniques and a mission to educate people on important facets of global
cultures. This volume complete with focus essays full page images and full page literary
quotes creates interesting juxtapositions and encourages a more thought filled view of the
gallery's masterpieces a truly didactic guide. Covering early civilizations to the renaissance
to the museum's post-revolution inheritance of religious objects there are cross references
between the works and their historical contexts. The guide truly covers world cultures
celebrating creation and the diversity of the Louvre's collection. This is an entirely
rethought companion for the twenty-first century Louvre visitor by distinguished writer
curator and art historian Dominique de Font-Réaulx. Shown in an easy and practical format the
greatest masterpieces of the museum are presented in an interdisciplinary chronology. It is an
invitation to discover (or rediscover) the richness and curiosities of one of the greatest
museums in the world.
