Notable Museums Around The World

Part 1: The Louvre, Paris, France.

• ·         One of the biggest museums in the world, the Louvre exhibits nearly 35,000 artworks from throughout history, ranging from pre-history to the 21^st century.
• ·         First built in the 12^th century by King Philip II of France. It was extended many times over the years to become the Louvre Palace.
• ·         It was first used to display artwork when King Louis XIV left the building and moved the court to the Palace of Versailles (where it remained until the French Revolution). King Louis left the royal collection in the Louvre to be put on view. During the French Revolution it was decreed by the National Assembly that the Louvre be used as a museum.
• ·         The museum first opened in 1793 displaying 537 paintings, mainly confiscated royal and church property. It closed again in 1796 due to structural problems.
• ·         Napoléon increased the collection housed in the museum, reopening it in 1801 and renaming it the Musée Napoléon, but after he abdicated many of the works he has seized were returned to their original owners.
• ·         The museum gained a further 20,000 pieces under the reigns of King Louis XVIII and King Charles X and through donations and gifts the collections have only increased.
• ·         There are eight departments in the Louvre:

o   Egyptian Antiquities

o   Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities

o   Near Eastern Antiquities

o   Islamic Art

o   Sculpture

o   Decorative Arts

o   Paintings

o   Prints and Drawings

• ·         Today the Louvre receives more than 10 million visitors a year and hosts many exhibitions.

http://www.louvre.fr/en

Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louvre