Here is my take on the world's greatest museum (and unfortunately located in France), the LOUVRE
err yes, that was me.
art is everywhere
Venus de Milo. 2100 years old. Still as popular as ever
the ceilings...oh man. No wonder a lot of French were pissed under Louis XVI
every hallway has a different theme
Louvre was a palace before the revolution. This section has crowns of some of the French Kings and Queens. The room is probably worth more than any of you can accumulate in 10 lifetimes.
palace court yard.
Winged Victory. I was so intrigued by it that I came back two or three times.
No sculptures feels lighter than this one.
Slaves by Michelangelo
somehow, it looks exactly like Apple Store by the Central Park
the end...oh wait...here are some more.
The following sections are some Renaissance paintings which I really loved. Photography is forbidden, but one can see people from different cultures trying to take pics thru hidden camera and cell phones. It was really interesting. (click on the pics to enlarge)
Wedding at Cana, where Jesus turned water into wine. This painting is GIGANTIC. Probably two stories tall. It is displayed directly across Mona Lisa. In the painting, Jesus looks spaced out in the centre. Somehow, I felt I was in the party and could hear the following conversation:
Drunk A: Everybody, (raises voice), EVERYBODY...FREE BOOZE FOR EVERYONE. Jesus Christ here is buying everyone free wine.
Drunk B: Hooray. EVERYONE praises Jesus!
Drunk C: Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus. Lord praises you. Now make me more pints of that wine...It was GOOOD
Jesus Christ: *sigh* *continues making wine until everyone is A) puked, B) passed out, C) puked and then passed out.
Raft of Medusa, shipwreck survivors almost lost all hope, then spotted a distant ship which could be their last hope. The contrast between despair and hope couldn't be more obvious
Coronation of Napoleon. One of my favorite historic character, it's too bad Napoleon only ruled a dozen years. But his legacy can still be felt today. (look at pissed off cardinals and pope in the background). Napoleon is crowning Josephine in this painting. It was the absolute high point in the emperor's life.
Vive l'Empereur
sexy. yum.
Virgin, Child and St. Anne. By Leonardo da Vinci.
In reality, I only spent a couple of hours in the museum. Yet it was probably the most exhaustive (mentally and physically) three hour of my life. Louvre was huge, and I only visited part of Denon wing (there are 3 wings!). I will definitely go back after a couple years or so. There are only so much art a human mind can take once. All right, that's it...lat...oh wait
Did I forget to mention something??
like a small painting somewhere in the Louvre?
Nah...
Only tip for Mona Lisa. It's tiny. Don't be disappointed by its size.
Spend a few minutes gazing at her eyes, disregard the crowds and noises.
Just you and her, alone.
and then you will realize why it's the world's greatest painting.
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