Guide to the Louvre. 5 pictures everyone should see

Until the end, we do not know the technology of the sfumato method. However, it is easy to describe it on the example of the works of its inventor Leonardo da Vinci. This is a very soft transition from light to shadow instead of clear lines. Thanks to this, the image of a person becomes voluminous and more alive. The sfumato method was fully applied by the master in the portrait of Mona Lisa.

Read about it in the article “Leonardo da Vinci and his Mona Lisa. The mystery of the Gioconda, about which little is said.

site “Diary of painting. In each picture there is a story, a fate, a mystery.”

» data-medium-file=»https://i1.wp.com/www.arts-dnevnik.ru/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/image-10.jpeg?fit=595%2C622&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://i1.wp.com/www.arts-dnevnik.ru/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/image-10.jpeg?fit=789%2C825&ssl=1″ loading =”lazy” class=”alignnone wp-image-4145 size-full” title=”Guide to the Louvre. 5 paintings that everyone should see" src="https://i2.wp.com/arts-dnevnik.ru/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/image-10.jpeg?resize=789%2C825&ssl=1 ″ alt=”Guide to the Louvre. 5 paintings that everyone should see” width=”789″ height=”825″ sizes=”(max-width: 789px) 100vw, 789px” data-recalc-dims=”1″/>

The average visitor to the Louvre runs around dozens of halls with 6000 paintings in 3-4 hours. And he comes out with a sore head and buzzing legs. 

I propose an option with a more interesting result: 1,5 hours of easy walking through the halls, which will definitely not bring you to physical exhaustion. And it will give you aesthetic pleasure.

I have visited many museums in five countries on two continents. And I know that 1,5 hours and 5-7 key paintings with preliminary preparation can bring much more pleasure and benefit than the classic running around according to the principle “I was there and saw something”.

I will guide you through the key masterpieces, the main milestones of painting from Antiquity to the XNUMXth century.

Yes, we will not run with you immediately to the Mona Lisa. And first of all, let's look at the III century AD.

1. Fayum portrait of a young woman. III century.

An ordinary tourist in 98% of cases will not start his run through the Louvre with this "Portrait of a Young Woman". But he does not even suspect how unique this work is. So don't miss the opportunity to take a look at it.

In the XNUMXrd century AD, a girl from a noble family sits in front of an artist. She wore the most expensive jewelry. She thinks about death. But for her, there is nothing terrible in the end of her earthly life. She will continue to live in the afterlife. 

The portrait is needed in case her soul wants to return to the body. Therefore, the artist will write it realistically so that the soul recognizes its bodily shell. Only the eyes will be drawn large, because through them the soul will fly back.

This portrait will prompt you to think about the eternal. After all, the girl was able to perpetuate herself. Our photographs are not capable of this. In 1800 years, nothing will remain of them.

Read also about Fayum portraits in the article https://arts-dnevnik.ru/fayumskie-portrety/

2. Jan Van Eyck. Madonna of Chancellor Rolin. XV century.

If you have seen a reproduction of the Chancellor Rolin's Madonna before the Louvre, the original will surprise you greatly. 

The fact is that Van Eyck carefully worked out all the details. It's like it's not a painting, but a piece of jewelry. You will see every stone in the Madonna's crown. Not to mention hundreds of figurines and houses in the background.

Surely you thought that the canvas is huge, otherwise how can you fit all these details. In reality, it is small. Approximately half a meter in length and width.

Chancellor Rolin sits opposite the artist and also thinks about death. It is said of him that he made so many people poor that in his old age he built a shelter for them. 

But he believes that he has a chance to go to heaven. And Van Eyck will help him in this. Will write it next to Madonna, applying all his innovations. And oil paints, and the illusion of perspective, and stunning landscapes. 

In an attempt to seek intercession from the Virgin Mary, Chancellor Rolin immortalized himself. 

In the meantime, we take our hats off to Van Eyck. After all, he was the first since the Fayum portraits to begin depicting his contemporaries. At the same time, not conditionally, but with the transfer of their individual features.

3. Leonardo da Vinci. Mona Lisa. XVI century.

If you go to the Louvre on a weekday morning, you have a chance to see the Mona Lisa up close. She's worth it. Because this is the first picture that creates the illusion of a living person.

A Florentine lady sits opposite Leonardo. He talks casually and jokes. Everything to make her relax and at least smile a little. 

The artist assured her husband that the portrait of his wife would be difficult to distinguish from her living. And the truth is, how interestingly he shaded the lines, put shadows in the corners of the lips and eyes. It seems that the lady from the portrait will now speak. 

Often people are perplexed: yes, it seems that now Mona Lisa will breathe. But there are plenty of such realistic portraits. Take at least the work of Van Dyck or Rembrandt. 

But they lived 150 years later. And Leonardo was the first to "revive" the human image. This Mona Lisa is valuable.

Read about the painting in the article "The Mona Lisa Mystery That Little Talk About".

4. Peter-Paul Rubens. Arrival of Marie de Medici in Marseille. XVII century.

In the Louvre you will find the Medici room. All its walls are hung with huge canvases. This is a picturesque memoir of Marie de Medici. Only written under her dictation by the great Rubens.

Marie de Medici stands in front of Rubens in a breathtaking dress. 

Today the artist began to paint another chapter of her life - "Arrival in Marseille". Once she sailed on a ship to her husband's homeland. 

Marie de Medici had just made peace with her son, the king of France. And this cycle of paintings should elevate her in the eyes of the courtiers. 

And for this, her life should not look ordinary, but worthy of the gods. Only Rubens can cope with such a task. Who better than him to portray the sparkling gold of the ship and the delicate skin of the Nereids? The royal court will be stupefied by the image of the rehabilitated mother of the king.

Smells like a cheap novel. The artist was constrained in self-expression. But Maria Medici set a condition: her "novel" should be written only by Rubens. No apprentices or apprentices. 

So if you want to see the master's hand, go to the Medici Hall.

5. Antoine Watteau. Pilgrimage to the island of Cythera. XVIII century.

“Pilgrimage to the Island of Cythera” by Watteau will immerse you in the world of easy flirting and love bliss. 

Never before has painting been as airy and vibrant as it was in the Rococo era. And it was Watteau who laid the foundations of this style. Relaxed stories. Light colors. Thin and small strokes. 

A young couple poses for an artist in a nearby park. He asks them to either hug, or pretend to have a nice conversation, or take a leisurely walk. Watteau says that he will depict 8 couples in love. 

Despite the lightness of the plot and technique, Watteau has been working on the picture for a long time. Long 5 years. Too many orders. 

Gallant scenes Watteau really liked the French. It's so nice to plunge into the atmosphere of simple joys. Do not think about saving the soul, or about hitting the descendants. Live for today and enjoy easy conversation.

 Conclusion

The Louvre is a place where you can take a fascinating journey through the history of painting. You will not only get aesthetic pleasure, but also see what different tasks the painting performed in different eras. 

At the beginning of our era, the portrait was a guide to the soul.

In the XNUMXth century, a painting is already a ticket to paradise. 

In the XNUMXth century, painting is the illusion of life. 

In the XNUMXth century, the picture turns into a status item. 

And in the XNUMXth century, it is needed to please the eyes.

5 canvases. 5 epochs. 5 different meanings. And all this in the Louvre. 

***

Comments other readers see below. They are often a good addition to an article. You can also share your opinion about the painting and the artist, as well as ask the author a question.