Bedford Public Library

The Louvre, the history, the collections, the architecture, by Bresc-Bautier with photographs by Gérard Rondeau

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 614-615)

illustrations

no index present

non fiction

The Louvre

1143626378

by Bresc-Bautier with photographs by Gérard Rondeau

the history, the collections, the architecture

Experience the Louvre's majestic halls, grand galleries, and stunning artworks in this exquisite visit to the world-renowned museumƯ--highlighting beloved works of art alongside hidden gems, all situated in the palace's stunning architectural spaces. Every year, more than ten million visitors from around the world visit the Louvre's 68,000 square meters of gallery space containing more than 35,000 works of art. The Louvre is widely considered the most innovative of the world's preeminent museums. The Louvre explores the eight centuries of fascinating history surrounding the museum, which began in the Middle Ages as a fortress, then became a royal residence which continued to enlarge, expand, and develop over the centuries with the most brilliant architects and painters being called to work on this architectural masterpiece. In 1793, the Louvre confirmed its role as a "temple of the arts" when it was made the first national museum open to the public. From then on, its collections continued to grow from its roots in the old royal collection, benefiting from acquisitions, archaeological discoveries, donations, and bequests. Centuries of growth, evolution, and transformation culminated in the 1980s with the "Grand Louvre" project symbolized by I.M. Pei's world-famous and critically acclaimed modernist pyramid. --Amazon