The Louvre

• The History

• The Architecture

• Some Facts

History

• Originally a 13th cent fortress by Phillip II Augustus

• This chateau was enlarged by Charles V in 14th cent-sacrificed in 16th cent at the end of the reign of Francis I to make way for a new Renaissance structure.

• West wing and part of south wing made by Pierre Lescot were finished

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History• 1564-Catherine de Medicis had Philibert

Delorme build little chateau called Tuileries.

• Joined Louvre and Palais des Tuileries to create a royal residence

• 17th cent- Louis XIII and minister Richelieu extended west wing by adding domed Pavillon de l’Horloge

• Abandoned as residence when Louis XIV moved the court to Versailles in 1682

History • 1789-Napoleon I, kings, Napoleon III lived in

Tuileries

• Used for offices and a musuem

• 1871-Tuileries burned

History and who built the Louvre

Architecture of the Louvre

Architecture

• 1st Louvre consisted of a thick cylindrical dungeon surrounded by towered walls.

• It was built in several phases• It has four symmetric wings

surrounding a large courtyard (didn’t last long-burned)

The Pyramids

• Most recent addition to Louvre

• Main entrance to museum

• Built in 1989 by I.M. Pei• Allows sunlight to come in

on the underground floor • Had mixed thoughts of

pyramids because it clashed with original theme of bldg.

Facts• One of the largest & most visted museums

in the world. 500 m long

• Lies in the center of Paris bwtn Siene River and Rue de Rivoli

• Some of famous works of art are Mona Lisa and Venus of Milo

• 35,000 objects on display over 3 wings

Facts• Has collections of European paintings and

sculptures.• Rooms have Roman, Egyptian, Greek, Oriental Art.• Has a “Objects d’Art” that has clocks, furniture,

china, and tapestries. • The collection of Baron Edmond de Rothschild

given to louvre-1935 has 40,000 engravings, 3,000 drawings, 500 illustrated books

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Louvre

• I explained a little of the history of the Louvre and who designed it, along with its structure and some interesting facts. Now if you didn’t know before, you know about the

Louvre!!