My wife and I greatly enjoyed an afternoon visit to the Louvre Museum in Paris, in which we viewed artwork I have such a newfound appreciation for.
An Afternoon Stroll Through The Louvre: A Photo Essay
I first visited Paris in 2006. Being my first time in Paris, of course I had to visit the Louvre and see the Mona Lisa in person. I did, and remember being quite disappointed. I also remember walking through every nook and cranny of the the museum, but only really being impressed with the ornate apartments of Napoleon III.
But my wife Heidi has helped me to appreciate art and I was struck by the intricate details and beauty of so many paintings in this museum. We both love biblical artwork and some of the stories are depicted in such a graphic and spellbinding way.
It’s fascinating how art speaks to us in different ways in different times of our life. I now appreciate art (of many forms) more than ever and look forward to returning to the Louvre and spending more time (hours…days actually) here. Those couches are not just for resting…they are to sit and better analyze human history displayed through paint.
Here is a photo essay of the some of the artwork that caught my eye.
Finally, let me add how nice it was to have lunch at the Louvre on a balcony lined with statues overlooking the courtyard below. The food was excellent and it was nice not to have to leave the museum in order to take a break (though I must say the coffee was a disappointment…).
CONCLUSION
The Louvre is not to be missed. Beyond the Mona Lisa is a fabulous collection of artwork. You will enjoy a wide variety from the Classic, Neoclassic, and Romantic periods.
This is part of my summer in Germany trip report.
The header picture looks more like a future Disney movie.
Matthew,
I’m not a Style or Public Relations consultant but the photos of YOU scream for advice (which of course is worth what you pay for it).
Suggest you SMILE. You’re a handsome gentleman and by all accounts a terrific husband and father but the photos of you look like you’re much less than that. They look like typical mug shots which invariably look terrible. I suspect you’re like me (and many other people) in that a smile is not automatic when looking at a camera but you would be much better served if you did what many other (arguably narcissistic) people did and SMILED for the camera. Presumably a little narcissism is healthy.
Oh yeah, the rolled-up-sleeves look is always a winner but you need to do one MORE roll of each sleeve for the proper look :-).
Thanks as always for the insightful, educational and interesting reading, keep up the good work.
(Love the (what looks like) compostable bamboo flatware, which looks much too “cheap” for a supposedly classy place like the Louvre.)
Thank you for the advice. In my defense, those photos are from 2006! I was just a kid.
Geez, didn’t realize those photos are 16 years old, you haven’t aged a day! My apologies for the outdated advice.
I’m literally across the Seine from the Louvre right now.
But it’s a short stay in Paris and today is going to the Musée d’Orsay, which is also fantastic, so…
I don’t know about now but 15 years ago, there were some rooms in the Louvre that have essentially no traffic for long stretches of time. One could have sex and nobody would notice if no noise was made.
Hopefully not with a dirty, hairy French woman.
As far as I’m concerned, the best place to experience true “art” in Paris is over a good meal with a great bottle of wine. I went to the Louvre when I was a kid in 1996, but if I set foot in there today, I think I’d be bored after about 30 seconds. I’ve always wondered if most visitors actually care about the art, or just go because they feel obligated to go since they’re in Paris.
Beautiful pictures. You transported me back there again. I remember spending hours wondering in those rooms, trying to absorb all the art there and never getting tired of it.
Thank you.
Thank you!