Obviously one of the best (if not the best) museum in Paris, the Louvre is as famous as it is large. Thousands of tourists and locals alike flock there each year to admire the vast collection of artworks – the most coveted being of course Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. But, the Louvre is home to so much more! Sculptures, paintings, even jewels, baroque furniture, and medieval pieces of armor. The Mona Lisa is great, don’t get us wrong, but there’s so much more to see – and not queue for. Here are 10 artworks in the Louvre to visit besides the Mona Lisa.
1. The Winged Victory of Samothrace (190 BC)
Dating from Greece’s Hellenistic era, The Winged Victory of Samothrace, also known as Nike, is a statue of the Greek goddess Nike, who was the goddess of victory – pretty self-explanatory. The statue is so named as it was found on the island of Samothrace, and it was sculpted as a votive to the goddess. Today, she has no arms or head, but the marble wings that jut from her back are glorious enough to gawk at.
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2. Liberty Leading the People, Eugène Delacroix (1830)
It doesn’t get much more French with this painting – in fact, the woman depicted in it, Marianne, is an allegorical figure for liberty and an important part of French culture. This painting is a celebration of France’s victory over King Charles X, commemorating the July Revolution of 1830. Marianne stands as the central figure, but what’s most striking is the bold use of colour, making the French flag stand out starkly against the smoke of revolt.
Fun fact: Liberty Leading the People is also featured on the artwork for Coldplay’s album Viva La Vida! Someone visited the Louvre and got inspired…
3. Psyché Revived by Cupid’s Kiss, Antonio Canova (1793)
If you frequent art museums often, you’ll notice that many sculptures are depictions of Greek and Roman mythology – stories that have existed for basically forever, and continue to inspire artists! This sculpture depicting Psyche and Cupid (also known as Eros) was created in 1793 by Italian sculptor Canova, and shows a moment of great romance, as the title suggests. The sculpture is often regarded as a masterpiece of Neoclassical art and definitely a must see at the Louvre.
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4. Portrait of a Black Woman, Marie Guillemine-Benoist (1800)
Portrait of a Black Woman, also known as Portrait of Madeleine, is a unique piece of historical significance. IIt was painted in 1800, a time when black people were not often the subject of paintings and portraits in France; and it was painted in the brief time between the abolition of slavery in 1794 before Napoleon reinstated it in 1848. The portrait is striking and simple, and the subject, Madeleine, who was a servant of Guillemine-Benoist’s parents, is depicted as a woman of wealth. Over the years, the painting has taken on significance as a symbol of black people’s rights and women’s emancipation.
5. The Card Sharp With the Ace of Diamonds, Georges de la Tour (1635)
Before movies could tell stories, there were paintings, and Georges de la Tour’s work is an excellent example of storytelling on canvas. The bold colours throughout the painting draw your attention everywhere, and each character’s motivation and mood is clear. Not only beautiful, The Card Sharp With the Ace of Diamonds is also quite funny – in my humble opinion – and it also has a companion piece: The Cheat with the Ace of Clubs (though not housed in the Louvre).
6. The Raft of the Medusa, Théodore Géricault (1819)
This massive oil on canvas painting depicts a real-life event of shipwrecked sailors afloat in a raft. The French frigate ‘La Méduse’ (the jellyfish – not Medusa), had been sent to Senegal in 1816 after the Napoleonic wars and ran aground on a shoal, causing many of the passengers to drown. The painting, done in the classical French Romanticism style – like Liberty Leading the People – is bleak, but often studied for its mastery of shape, light, and balance.
7. The Portrait of a Woman of the Court of Milan, Leonardo da Vinci (1490s)
If you’re really itching for a Da Vinci fix but don’t want to queue for the Mona Lisa, then The Portrait of a Woman of the Court of Milan is just as beautiful and fame-worthy. The portrait is believed to be of Lucrezia Crivelli, a lady-in-waiting to Beatrice of Milan, and she is depicted wearing a ruby-embedded iron chain on her brow and a deep red dress. Unlike the Mona Lisa, the sitter for this portrait is engulfed in a dark background, making her stand out dramatically, drawing the eye.
8. The Great Sphinx of Tanis (2550 BC)
Admittedly not as impressive as the Great Sphinx of Giza, but pretty cool nonetheless, the Great Sphinx of Tanis is a granite sculpture dating back from basically forever ago. It was originally discovered in the ruins of the Temple of Amun-Ra in Tanis (hence the name), and was acquired by the Louvre in 1826. It’s one of many Egyptian sculptures and artworks on display, offering not only awe, but education as well.
9. Death of the Virgin, Caravaggio (1606)
Caravaggio is the author of many gorgeous paintings and famous for his use of chiaroscuro, a technique that utilises the contrast between light and shadow. You’ll no doubt recognise his work: David With the Head of Goliath, Judith Beheading Holofernes, and The Calling of Saint Matthew. Many depict violence or myth, but his most controversial painting is Death of a Virgin, which you’ll find in the Louvre.
Death of the Virgin, referring to the Virgin Mary, is a controversial painting, as at the time it was rejected by the parish for belief that Caravaggio used a prostitute or his mistress to model the body of the Virgin… Whether this is true or not, the painting is a masterwork and worthy of your attention.
10. The Wedding at Cana, Paolo Veronese (1563)
If you like colour and grand scenes and just generally want your jaw dragging on the floor, The Wedding at Cana is perfect for you! The painting depicts the biblical story of Jesus turning water into wine at a wedding, and if you look closely you can spot Mary and all twelve of his disciples.
