The Louvre.
Our second day in Paris began with the sun shining, although the temperature remained very brisk (Brisk is a positology term for 'freakin' cold'). While traveling in Europe during the winter / early spring does help you avoid all the crowds, I would trade a couple hundred people in line for 10 degrees right now. However, we did not let that dampen our spirits... and we began our day with a trip to the world's most famous and extravagant museum: The Louvre.
While the Louvre is best known for housing the Mona Lisa and for its co-starring role in The Da Vinci Code, it is filled with over 2,000 priceless works of art and many other amazing things (such as a Starbucks in the bottom level.) We immediately headed to the "Denon" wing, which houses the Italian sculptures (many works by Michaelangelo, Donatello, and the other members of the Ninja Turtles), and the Renaissance Paintings. I definitely don't consider myself an art enthusiast (I shy away from the whole 'enthusiast' tag in general, especially when it describes someone who likes to boat a lot), however it was amazing to see all these great works of art that must have taken FOREVER to complete.
This was my favorite piece... called 'Victoire de Samothrace.'
After an hour of walking through the never-ending passageways, we made our way to the Grand Gallery and the home of that mischievous girl, Mona Lisa. I thought this painting was actually pretty cool -- some say that it is darker or smaller than expected -- but I give it a full 4 Cannoli ranking (out of possible 5, all Ricotta no Chocolate). In fact, while not overpowering... instead it is more of a 'haunting' feeling as she looks out with that non-committal smile, and wherever you go in the room, she seems to be looking at you -- like those old episodes of Scooby Doo where the bad guys cut out the eyes of paintings and use them to spy on Shaggy and the crew.
The crowds gather around the Mona Lisa, which I think should be the target of the Ocean's Eleven guys if they ever make Ocean's 14.
One interesting thing I found was the painting that is directly across from the Mona Lisa. I wouldn't want to have that spot if I was a painting, can you imagine? "Hey Paintings... who wants to be hung directly across from the most famous one in the world? We promise - no one will remember you!" Instead, I think The Louvre did a very witty thing... they went out and found the biggest painting in the whole world. I'm not sure its exact dimensions... but check out the relative size when you see me standing next to it!
If a picture is worth a thousand words, how much is this guy worth? This "Super-Sized" painting stands directly across from Mona and is equally memorable... to some.
When you are in Paris, we recommend that you definitely go to the Louvre - it is worth it - however Christie found the building itself to be just as remarkable as the works of art inside. The Louvre was built in 1280 and was actually a huge castle for centuries, until Charles V didn't like it... and decided to tear it down to build the current site.
The Louvre Coutyard, complete with signature Pyramid and amazing architecture.
The River Seine runs directly behind the Louvre and makes a dramatic backdrop.
2 comments:
Now that you've been there, you need to seek out the famed Art Buchwald column on "The Six-Minute Louvre," based the idea that all you really need to see is Winged Victory, the Venus de Milo and the Mona Lisa, and the effort to see those three objects in that amount of time. (I tried to find it online without success.)
Do whatever David Lassen tells you to do!
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