European Summer Must-Sees: Musée du Louvre, Paris
Next up on our tour of must-visit European galleries: the famous Louvre in Paris
July 8, 2022
In this article, we continue our culture trot across Europe, today landing in the world-famous Louvre. It is said that it takes over three days to see every single item in this museum, and it serves as France’s focal pinnacle of European culture. It is home to one of the richest collections of art in the world, with artefacts, antiquities, paintings and sculptures representative of over 11,000 years of human civilisation and ever- progressing evolution.
The Raft of the Medusa
One of the world’s most dark and harrowing images of human suffering and desperation is Théodore Géricault’s ‘The Raft of the Medusa’. Géricault was far beyond his years in his choice of subject, rejecting religious themes and grandeur, and opting for the depiction of contemporary events. The larger than life painting depicts the aftermath of the shipwreck of the French Royal Navy off the coast of Senegal in 1816. When the Medusa ran aground and there was a shortage of lifeboats, over 150 survivors embarked on a raft that lead to a 13-day ordeal, whereby the men descended into chaos, murder and cannibalism. Géricault’s ghoulish realism combined with his extraordinary skill created a painting that was grounded in the contemporary in its politics and societal implications, whilst also addressing the subject with unprecedented passion.
Virgin of the Rocks
Virgin of the Rocks is a painting that has perplexed and mystified art-lovers across the globe for centuries. Created by Leonardo da Vinci, an artist renowned for his genius that stretched over many disciplines - art, medicine, invention - this painting is a true representation of all Leondardo’s skills and knowledge; it captures scientific observation whilst drawing on unique artistic techniques and innovation. Leonardo’s fascination and apt understanding of the natural world is clearly depicted in this painting. Despite being a commission for an altar piece, it is also a study of landscape and the observed effect of water and time on the natural environment. Whilst making scientific observations, Leonardo also revolutionised art – innovating techniques such as chiaroscuro and sfumato. Chiaroscuro refers to the technique whereby the contrasting of light and shadow defines three dimensional figures by capturing twilight and to quote Leonardo “even the faces of ordinary people look beautiful at dusk when the light is low”, while Sfumato is another technique that draws upon the interaction of light and shadow whereby boundaries are smoky and blurry.
The Louvre | Pharaoh of the Two Lands | Until 25th July 2022
In the 8th century BC, the Nubian King conquered Egypt giving rise to the 25th dynasty of Kushite Kings who ruled for more than fifty years over a kingdom that stretched from the Nile Delta to the White and Blue Niles. An exhibition at the Louvre Museum details the story of Taharqa; during the 8th century BC, Nubia gained independence from Egypt and became the home of the Kushite rulers, in what is now northern Sudan. The exhibition is a display of spectacular artefacts and antiquities from this period, brimming with granite statues and gold statuettes. ‘Pharaoh of the Two Lands’ highlights the importance of this vast kingdom’s rich heritage, located in what is known in the modern world as northern Sudan. For the past ten years, the Louvre has been conducting an archaeological campaign in Sudan and this exhibition is part of this unearthing of important history and culture buried beneath these rich soils.
Just a stone’s throw away from the Louvre, is the Tuileries Gardens, an oasis in the city centre – the perfect place to reflect on the awe inspiring and spectacular pieces contained within the Louvre.
In this article, we continue our culture trot across Europe, today landing in the world-famous Louvre. It is said that it takes over three days to see every single item in this museum, and it serves as France’s focal pinnacle of European culture. It is home to one of the richest collections of art in the world, with artefacts, antiquities, paintings and sculptures representative of over 11,000 years of human civilisation and ever- progressing evolution.
The Raft of the Medusa
One of the world’s most dark and harrowing images of human suffering and desperation is Théodore Géricault’s ‘The Raft of the Medusa’. Géricault was far beyond his years in his choice of subject, rejecting religious themes and grandeur, and opting for the depiction of contemporary events. The larger than life painting depicts the aftermath of the shipwreck of the French Royal Navy off the coast of Senegal in 1816. When the Medusa ran aground and there was a shortage of lifeboats, over 150 survivors embarked on a raft that lead to a 13-day ordeal, whereby the men descended into chaos, murder and cannibalism. Géricault’s ghoulish realism combined with his extraordinary skill created a painting that was grounded in the contemporary in its politics and societal implications, whilst also addressing the subject with unprecedented passion.
Virgin of the Rocks
Virgin of the Rocks is a painting that has perplexed and mystified art-lovers across the globe for centuries. Created by Leonardo da Vinci, an artist renowned for his genius that stretched over many disciplines - art, medicine, invention - this painting is a true representation of all Leondardo’s skills and knowledge; it captures scientific observation whilst drawing on unique artistic techniques and innovation. Leonardo’s fascination and apt understanding of the natural world is clearly depicted in this painting. Despite being a commission for an altar piece, it is also a study of landscape and the observed effect of water and time on the natural environment. Whilst making scientific observations, Leonardo also revolutionised art – innovating techniques such as chiaroscuro and sfumato. Chiaroscuro refers to the technique whereby the contrasting of light and shadow defines three dimensional figures by capturing twilight and to quote Leonardo “even the faces of ordinary people look beautiful at dusk when the light is low”, while Sfumato is another technique that draws upon the interaction of light and shadow whereby boundaries are smoky and blurry.
The Louvre | Pharaoh of the Two Lands | Until 25th July 2022
In the 8th century BC, the Nubian King conquered Egypt giving rise to the 25th dynasty of Kushite Kings who ruled for more than fifty years over a kingdom that stretched from the Nile Delta to the White and Blue Niles. An exhibition at the Louvre Museum details the story of Taharqa; during the 8th century BC, Nubia gained independence from Egypt and became the home of the Kushite rulers, in what is now northern Sudan. The exhibition is a display of spectacular artefacts and antiquities from this period, brimming with granite statues and gold statuettes. ‘Pharaoh of the Two Lands’ highlights the importance of this vast kingdom’s rich heritage, located in what is known in the modern world as northern Sudan. For the past ten years, the Louvre has been conducting an archaeological campaign in Sudan and this exhibition is part of this unearthing of important history and culture buried beneath these rich soils.
Just a stone’s throw away from the Louvre, is the Tuileries Gardens, an oasis in the city centre – the perfect place to reflect on the awe inspiring and spectacular pieces contained within the Louvre.
In this article, we continue our culture trot across Europe, today landing in the world-famous Louvre. It is said that it takes over three days to see every single item in this museum, and it serves as France’s focal pinnacle of European culture. It is home to one of the richest collections of art in the world, with artefacts, antiquities, paintings and sculptures representative of over 11,000 years of human civilisation and ever- progressing evolution.
The Raft of the Medusa
One of the world’s most dark and harrowing images of human suffering and desperation is Théodore Géricault’s ‘The Raft of the Medusa’. Géricault was far beyond his years in his choice of subject, rejecting religious themes and grandeur, and opting for the depiction of contemporary events. The larger than life painting depicts the aftermath of the shipwreck of the French Royal Navy off the coast of Senegal in 1816. When the Medusa ran aground and there was a shortage of lifeboats, over 150 survivors embarked on a raft that lead to a 13-day ordeal, whereby the men descended into chaos, murder and cannibalism. Géricault’s ghoulish realism combined with his extraordinary skill created a painting that was grounded in the contemporary in its politics and societal implications, whilst also addressing the subject with unprecedented passion.
Virgin of the Rocks
Virgin of the Rocks is a painting that has perplexed and mystified art-lovers across the globe for centuries. Created by Leonardo da Vinci, an artist renowned for his genius that stretched over many disciplines - art, medicine, invention - this painting is a true representation of all Leondardo’s skills and knowledge; it captures scientific observation whilst drawing on unique artistic techniques and innovation. Leonardo’s fascination and apt understanding of the natural world is clearly depicted in this painting. Despite being a commission for an altar piece, it is also a study of landscape and the observed effect of water and time on the natural environment. Whilst making scientific observations, Leonardo also revolutionised art – innovating techniques such as chiaroscuro and sfumato. Chiaroscuro refers to the technique whereby the contrasting of light and shadow defines three dimensional figures by capturing twilight and to quote Leonardo “even the faces of ordinary people look beautiful at dusk when the light is low”, while Sfumato is another technique that draws upon the interaction of light and shadow whereby boundaries are smoky and blurry.
The Louvre | Pharaoh of the Two Lands | Until 25th July 2022
In the 8th century BC, the Nubian King conquered Egypt giving rise to the 25th dynasty of Kushite Kings who ruled for more than fifty years over a kingdom that stretched from the Nile Delta to the White and Blue Niles. An exhibition at the Louvre Museum details the story of Taharqa; during the 8th century BC, Nubia gained independence from Egypt and became the home of the Kushite rulers, in what is now northern Sudan. The exhibition is a display of spectacular artefacts and antiquities from this period, brimming with granite statues and gold statuettes. ‘Pharaoh of the Two Lands’ highlights the importance of this vast kingdom’s rich heritage, located in what is known in the modern world as northern Sudan. For the past ten years, the Louvre has been conducting an archaeological campaign in Sudan and this exhibition is part of this unearthing of important history and culture buried beneath these rich soils.
Just a stone’s throw away from the Louvre, is the Tuileries Gardens, an oasis in the city centre – the perfect place to reflect on the awe inspiring and spectacular pieces contained within the Louvre.
In this article, we continue our culture trot across Europe, today landing in the world-famous Louvre. It is said that it takes over three days to see every single item in this museum, and it serves as France’s focal pinnacle of European culture. It is home to one of the richest collections of art in the world, with artefacts, antiquities, paintings and sculptures representative of over 11,000 years of human civilisation and ever- progressing evolution.
The Raft of the Medusa
One of the world’s most dark and harrowing images of human suffering and desperation is Théodore Géricault’s ‘The Raft of the Medusa’. Géricault was far beyond his years in his choice of subject, rejecting religious themes and grandeur, and opting for the depiction of contemporary events. The larger than life painting depicts the aftermath of the shipwreck of the French Royal Navy off the coast of Senegal in 1816. When the Medusa ran aground and there was a shortage of lifeboats, over 150 survivors embarked on a raft that lead to a 13-day ordeal, whereby the men descended into chaos, murder and cannibalism. Géricault’s ghoulish realism combined with his extraordinary skill created a painting that was grounded in the contemporary in its politics and societal implications, whilst also addressing the subject with unprecedented passion.
Virgin of the Rocks
Virgin of the Rocks is a painting that has perplexed and mystified art-lovers across the globe for centuries. Created by Leonardo da Vinci, an artist renowned for his genius that stretched over many disciplines - art, medicine, invention - this painting is a true representation of all Leondardo’s skills and knowledge; it captures scientific observation whilst drawing on unique artistic techniques and innovation. Leonardo’s fascination and apt understanding of the natural world is clearly depicted in this painting. Despite being a commission for an altar piece, it is also a study of landscape and the observed effect of water and time on the natural environment. Whilst making scientific observations, Leonardo also revolutionised art – innovating techniques such as chiaroscuro and sfumato. Chiaroscuro refers to the technique whereby the contrasting of light and shadow defines three dimensional figures by capturing twilight and to quote Leonardo “even the faces of ordinary people look beautiful at dusk when the light is low”, while Sfumato is another technique that draws upon the interaction of light and shadow whereby boundaries are smoky and blurry.
The Louvre | Pharaoh of the Two Lands | Until 25th July 2022
In the 8th century BC, the Nubian King conquered Egypt giving rise to the 25th dynasty of Kushite Kings who ruled for more than fifty years over a kingdom that stretched from the Nile Delta to the White and Blue Niles. An exhibition at the Louvre Museum details the story of Taharqa; during the 8th century BC, Nubia gained independence from Egypt and became the home of the Kushite rulers, in what is now northern Sudan. The exhibition is a display of spectacular artefacts and antiquities from this period, brimming with granite statues and gold statuettes. ‘Pharaoh of the Two Lands’ highlights the importance of this vast kingdom’s rich heritage, located in what is known in the modern world as northern Sudan. For the past ten years, the Louvre has been conducting an archaeological campaign in Sudan and this exhibition is part of this unearthing of important history and culture buried beneath these rich soils.
Just a stone’s throw away from the Louvre, is the Tuileries Gardens, an oasis in the city centre – the perfect place to reflect on the awe inspiring and spectacular pieces contained within the Louvre.
In this article, we continue our culture trot across Europe, today landing in the world-famous Louvre. It is said that it takes over three days to see every single item in this museum, and it serves as France’s focal pinnacle of European culture. It is home to one of the richest collections of art in the world, with artefacts, antiquities, paintings and sculptures representative of over 11,000 years of human civilisation and ever- progressing evolution.
The Raft of the Medusa
One of the world’s most dark and harrowing images of human suffering and desperation is Théodore Géricault’s ‘The Raft of the Medusa’. Géricault was far beyond his years in his choice of subject, rejecting religious themes and grandeur, and opting for the depiction of contemporary events. The larger than life painting depicts the aftermath of the shipwreck of the French Royal Navy off the coast of Senegal in 1816. When the Medusa ran aground and there was a shortage of lifeboats, over 150 survivors embarked on a raft that lead to a 13-day ordeal, whereby the men descended into chaos, murder and cannibalism. Géricault’s ghoulish realism combined with his extraordinary skill created a painting that was grounded in the contemporary in its politics and societal implications, whilst also addressing the subject with unprecedented passion.
Virgin of the Rocks
Virgin of the Rocks is a painting that has perplexed and mystified art-lovers across the globe for centuries. Created by Leonardo da Vinci, an artist renowned for his genius that stretched over many disciplines - art, medicine, invention - this painting is a true representation of all Leondardo’s skills and knowledge; it captures scientific observation whilst drawing on unique artistic techniques and innovation. Leonardo’s fascination and apt understanding of the natural world is clearly depicted in this painting. Despite being a commission for an altar piece, it is also a study of landscape and the observed effect of water and time on the natural environment. Whilst making scientific observations, Leonardo also revolutionised art – innovating techniques such as chiaroscuro and sfumato. Chiaroscuro refers to the technique whereby the contrasting of light and shadow defines three dimensional figures by capturing twilight and to quote Leonardo “even the faces of ordinary people look beautiful at dusk when the light is low”, while Sfumato is another technique that draws upon the interaction of light and shadow whereby boundaries are smoky and blurry.
The Louvre | Pharaoh of the Two Lands | Until 25th July 2022
In the 8th century BC, the Nubian King conquered Egypt giving rise to the 25th dynasty of Kushite Kings who ruled for more than fifty years over a kingdom that stretched from the Nile Delta to the White and Blue Niles. An exhibition at the Louvre Museum details the story of Taharqa; during the 8th century BC, Nubia gained independence from Egypt and became the home of the Kushite rulers, in what is now northern Sudan. The exhibition is a display of spectacular artefacts and antiquities from this period, brimming with granite statues and gold statuettes. ‘Pharaoh of the Two Lands’ highlights the importance of this vast kingdom’s rich heritage, located in what is known in the modern world as northern Sudan. For the past ten years, the Louvre has been conducting an archaeological campaign in Sudan and this exhibition is part of this unearthing of important history and culture buried beneath these rich soils.
Just a stone’s throw away from the Louvre, is the Tuileries Gardens, an oasis in the city centre – the perfect place to reflect on the awe inspiring and spectacular pieces contained within the Louvre.
In this article, we continue our culture trot across Europe, today landing in the world-famous Louvre. It is said that it takes over three days to see every single item in this museum, and it serves as France’s focal pinnacle of European culture. It is home to one of the richest collections of art in the world, with artefacts, antiquities, paintings and sculptures representative of over 11,000 years of human civilisation and ever- progressing evolution.
The Raft of the Medusa
One of the world’s most dark and harrowing images of human suffering and desperation is Théodore Géricault’s ‘The Raft of the Medusa’. Géricault was far beyond his years in his choice of subject, rejecting religious themes and grandeur, and opting for the depiction of contemporary events. The larger than life painting depicts the aftermath of the shipwreck of the French Royal Navy off the coast of Senegal in 1816. When the Medusa ran aground and there was a shortage of lifeboats, over 150 survivors embarked on a raft that lead to a 13-day ordeal, whereby the men descended into chaos, murder and cannibalism. Géricault’s ghoulish realism combined with his extraordinary skill created a painting that was grounded in the contemporary in its politics and societal implications, whilst also addressing the subject with unprecedented passion.
Virgin of the Rocks
Virgin of the Rocks is a painting that has perplexed and mystified art-lovers across the globe for centuries. Created by Leonardo da Vinci, an artist renowned for his genius that stretched over many disciplines - art, medicine, invention - this painting is a true representation of all Leondardo’s skills and knowledge; it captures scientific observation whilst drawing on unique artistic techniques and innovation. Leonardo’s fascination and apt understanding of the natural world is clearly depicted in this painting. Despite being a commission for an altar piece, it is also a study of landscape and the observed effect of water and time on the natural environment. Whilst making scientific observations, Leonardo also revolutionised art – innovating techniques such as chiaroscuro and sfumato. Chiaroscuro refers to the technique whereby the contrasting of light and shadow defines three dimensional figures by capturing twilight and to quote Leonardo “even the faces of ordinary people look beautiful at dusk when the light is low”, while Sfumato is another technique that draws upon the interaction of light and shadow whereby boundaries are smoky and blurry.
The Louvre | Pharaoh of the Two Lands | Until 25th July 2022
In the 8th century BC, the Nubian King conquered Egypt giving rise to the 25th dynasty of Kushite Kings who ruled for more than fifty years over a kingdom that stretched from the Nile Delta to the White and Blue Niles. An exhibition at the Louvre Museum details the story of Taharqa; during the 8th century BC, Nubia gained independence from Egypt and became the home of the Kushite rulers, in what is now northern Sudan. The exhibition is a display of spectacular artefacts and antiquities from this period, brimming with granite statues and gold statuettes. ‘Pharaoh of the Two Lands’ highlights the importance of this vast kingdom’s rich heritage, located in what is known in the modern world as northern Sudan. For the past ten years, the Louvre has been conducting an archaeological campaign in Sudan and this exhibition is part of this unearthing of important history and culture buried beneath these rich soils.
Just a stone’s throw away from the Louvre, is the Tuileries Gardens, an oasis in the city centre – the perfect place to reflect on the awe inspiring and spectacular pieces contained within the Louvre.
In this article, we continue our culture trot across Europe, today landing in the world-famous Louvre. It is said that it takes over three days to see every single item in this museum, and it serves as France’s focal pinnacle of European culture. It is home to one of the richest collections of art in the world, with artefacts, antiquities, paintings and sculptures representative of over 11,000 years of human civilisation and ever- progressing evolution.
The Raft of the Medusa
One of the world’s most dark and harrowing images of human suffering and desperation is Théodore Géricault’s ‘The Raft of the Medusa’. Géricault was far beyond his years in his choice of subject, rejecting religious themes and grandeur, and opting for the depiction of contemporary events. The larger than life painting depicts the aftermath of the shipwreck of the French Royal Navy off the coast of Senegal in 1816. When the Medusa ran aground and there was a shortage of lifeboats, over 150 survivors embarked on a raft that lead to a 13-day ordeal, whereby the men descended into chaos, murder and cannibalism. Géricault’s ghoulish realism combined with his extraordinary skill created a painting that was grounded in the contemporary in its politics and societal implications, whilst also addressing the subject with unprecedented passion.
Virgin of the Rocks
Virgin of the Rocks is a painting that has perplexed and mystified art-lovers across the globe for centuries. Created by Leonardo da Vinci, an artist renowned for his genius that stretched over many disciplines - art, medicine, invention - this painting is a true representation of all Leondardo’s skills and knowledge; it captures scientific observation whilst drawing on unique artistic techniques and innovation. Leonardo’s fascination and apt understanding of the natural world is clearly depicted in this painting. Despite being a commission for an altar piece, it is also a study of landscape and the observed effect of water and time on the natural environment. Whilst making scientific observations, Leonardo also revolutionised art – innovating techniques such as chiaroscuro and sfumato. Chiaroscuro refers to the technique whereby the contrasting of light and shadow defines three dimensional figures by capturing twilight and to quote Leonardo “even the faces of ordinary people look beautiful at dusk when the light is low”, while Sfumato is another technique that draws upon the interaction of light and shadow whereby boundaries are smoky and blurry.
The Louvre | Pharaoh of the Two Lands | Until 25th July 2022
In the 8th century BC, the Nubian King conquered Egypt giving rise to the 25th dynasty of Kushite Kings who ruled for more than fifty years over a kingdom that stretched from the Nile Delta to the White and Blue Niles. An exhibition at the Louvre Museum details the story of Taharqa; during the 8th century BC, Nubia gained independence from Egypt and became the home of the Kushite rulers, in what is now northern Sudan. The exhibition is a display of spectacular artefacts and antiquities from this period, brimming with granite statues and gold statuettes. ‘Pharaoh of the Two Lands’ highlights the importance of this vast kingdom’s rich heritage, located in what is known in the modern world as northern Sudan. For the past ten years, the Louvre has been conducting an archaeological campaign in Sudan and this exhibition is part of this unearthing of important history and culture buried beneath these rich soils.
Just a stone’s throw away from the Louvre, is the Tuileries Gardens, an oasis in the city centre – the perfect place to reflect on the awe inspiring and spectacular pieces contained within the Louvre.
In this article, we continue our culture trot across Europe, today landing in the world-famous Louvre. It is said that it takes over three days to see every single item in this museum, and it serves as France’s focal pinnacle of European culture. It is home to one of the richest collections of art in the world, with artefacts, antiquities, paintings and sculptures representative of over 11,000 years of human civilisation and ever- progressing evolution.
The Raft of the Medusa
One of the world’s most dark and harrowing images of human suffering and desperation is Théodore Géricault’s ‘The Raft of the Medusa’. Géricault was far beyond his years in his choice of subject, rejecting religious themes and grandeur, and opting for the depiction of contemporary events. The larger than life painting depicts the aftermath of the shipwreck of the French Royal Navy off the coast of Senegal in 1816. When the Medusa ran aground and there was a shortage of lifeboats, over 150 survivors embarked on a raft that lead to a 13-day ordeal, whereby the men descended into chaos, murder and cannibalism. Géricault’s ghoulish realism combined with his extraordinary skill created a painting that was grounded in the contemporary in its politics and societal implications, whilst also addressing the subject with unprecedented passion.
Virgin of the Rocks
Virgin of the Rocks is a painting that has perplexed and mystified art-lovers across the globe for centuries. Created by Leonardo da Vinci, an artist renowned for his genius that stretched over many disciplines - art, medicine, invention - this painting is a true representation of all Leondardo’s skills and knowledge; it captures scientific observation whilst drawing on unique artistic techniques and innovation. Leonardo’s fascination and apt understanding of the natural world is clearly depicted in this painting. Despite being a commission for an altar piece, it is also a study of landscape and the observed effect of water and time on the natural environment. Whilst making scientific observations, Leonardo also revolutionised art – innovating techniques such as chiaroscuro and sfumato. Chiaroscuro refers to the technique whereby the contrasting of light and shadow defines three dimensional figures by capturing twilight and to quote Leonardo “even the faces of ordinary people look beautiful at dusk when the light is low”, while Sfumato is another technique that draws upon the interaction of light and shadow whereby boundaries are smoky and blurry.
The Louvre | Pharaoh of the Two Lands | Until 25th July 2022
In the 8th century BC, the Nubian King conquered Egypt giving rise to the 25th dynasty of Kushite Kings who ruled for more than fifty years over a kingdom that stretched from the Nile Delta to the White and Blue Niles. An exhibition at the Louvre Museum details the story of Taharqa; during the 8th century BC, Nubia gained independence from Egypt and became the home of the Kushite rulers, in what is now northern Sudan. The exhibition is a display of spectacular artefacts and antiquities from this period, brimming with granite statues and gold statuettes. ‘Pharaoh of the Two Lands’ highlights the importance of this vast kingdom’s rich heritage, located in what is known in the modern world as northern Sudan. For the past ten years, the Louvre has been conducting an archaeological campaign in Sudan and this exhibition is part of this unearthing of important history and culture buried beneath these rich soils.
Just a stone’s throw away from the Louvre, is the Tuileries Gardens, an oasis in the city centre – the perfect place to reflect on the awe inspiring and spectacular pieces contained within the Louvre.
In this article, we continue our culture trot across Europe, today landing in the world-famous Louvre. It is said that it takes over three days to see every single item in this museum, and it serves as France’s focal pinnacle of European culture. It is home to one of the richest collections of art in the world, with artefacts, antiquities, paintings and sculptures representative of over 11,000 years of human civilisation and ever- progressing evolution.
The Raft of the Medusa
One of the world’s most dark and harrowing images of human suffering and desperation is Théodore Géricault’s ‘The Raft of the Medusa’. Géricault was far beyond his years in his choice of subject, rejecting religious themes and grandeur, and opting for the depiction of contemporary events. The larger than life painting depicts the aftermath of the shipwreck of the French Royal Navy off the coast of Senegal in 1816. When the Medusa ran aground and there was a shortage of lifeboats, over 150 survivors embarked on a raft that lead to a 13-day ordeal, whereby the men descended into chaos, murder and cannibalism. Géricault’s ghoulish realism combined with his extraordinary skill created a painting that was grounded in the contemporary in its politics and societal implications, whilst also addressing the subject with unprecedented passion.
Virgin of the Rocks
Virgin of the Rocks is a painting that has perplexed and mystified art-lovers across the globe for centuries. Created by Leonardo da Vinci, an artist renowned for his genius that stretched over many disciplines - art, medicine, invention - this painting is a true representation of all Leondardo’s skills and knowledge; it captures scientific observation whilst drawing on unique artistic techniques and innovation. Leonardo’s fascination and apt understanding of the natural world is clearly depicted in this painting. Despite being a commission for an altar piece, it is also a study of landscape and the observed effect of water and time on the natural environment. Whilst making scientific observations, Leonardo also revolutionised art – innovating techniques such as chiaroscuro and sfumato. Chiaroscuro refers to the technique whereby the contrasting of light and shadow defines three dimensional figures by capturing twilight and to quote Leonardo “even the faces of ordinary people look beautiful at dusk when the light is low”, while Sfumato is another technique that draws upon the interaction of light and shadow whereby boundaries are smoky and blurry.
The Louvre | Pharaoh of the Two Lands | Until 25th July 2022
In the 8th century BC, the Nubian King conquered Egypt giving rise to the 25th dynasty of Kushite Kings who ruled for more than fifty years over a kingdom that stretched from the Nile Delta to the White and Blue Niles. An exhibition at the Louvre Museum details the story of Taharqa; during the 8th century BC, Nubia gained independence from Egypt and became the home of the Kushite rulers, in what is now northern Sudan. The exhibition is a display of spectacular artefacts and antiquities from this period, brimming with granite statues and gold statuettes. ‘Pharaoh of the Two Lands’ highlights the importance of this vast kingdom’s rich heritage, located in what is known in the modern world as northern Sudan. For the past ten years, the Louvre has been conducting an archaeological campaign in Sudan and this exhibition is part of this unearthing of important history and culture buried beneath these rich soils.
Just a stone’s throw away from the Louvre, is the Tuileries Gardens, an oasis in the city centre – the perfect place to reflect on the awe inspiring and spectacular pieces contained within the Louvre.
In this article, we continue our culture trot across Europe, today landing in the world-famous Louvre. It is said that it takes over three days to see every single item in this museum, and it serves as France’s focal pinnacle of European culture. It is home to one of the richest collections of art in the world, with artefacts, antiquities, paintings and sculptures representative of over 11,000 years of human civilisation and ever- progressing evolution.
The Raft of the Medusa
One of the world’s most dark and harrowing images of human suffering and desperation is Théodore Géricault’s ‘The Raft of the Medusa’. Géricault was far beyond his years in his choice of subject, rejecting religious themes and grandeur, and opting for the depiction of contemporary events. The larger than life painting depicts the aftermath of the shipwreck of the French Royal Navy off the coast of Senegal in 1816. When the Medusa ran aground and there was a shortage of lifeboats, over 150 survivors embarked on a raft that lead to a 13-day ordeal, whereby the men descended into chaos, murder and cannibalism. Géricault’s ghoulish realism combined with his extraordinary skill created a painting that was grounded in the contemporary in its politics and societal implications, whilst also addressing the subject with unprecedented passion.
Virgin of the Rocks
Virgin of the Rocks is a painting that has perplexed and mystified art-lovers across the globe for centuries. Created by Leonardo da Vinci, an artist renowned for his genius that stretched over many disciplines - art, medicine, invention - this painting is a true representation of all Leondardo’s skills and knowledge; it captures scientific observation whilst drawing on unique artistic techniques and innovation. Leonardo’s fascination and apt understanding of the natural world is clearly depicted in this painting. Despite being a commission for an altar piece, it is also a study of landscape and the observed effect of water and time on the natural environment. Whilst making scientific observations, Leonardo also revolutionised art – innovating techniques such as chiaroscuro and sfumato. Chiaroscuro refers to the technique whereby the contrasting of light and shadow defines three dimensional figures by capturing twilight and to quote Leonardo “even the faces of ordinary people look beautiful at dusk when the light is low”, while Sfumato is another technique that draws upon the interaction of light and shadow whereby boundaries are smoky and blurry.
The Louvre | Pharaoh of the Two Lands | Until 25th July 2022
In the 8th century BC, the Nubian King conquered Egypt giving rise to the 25th dynasty of Kushite Kings who ruled for more than fifty years over a kingdom that stretched from the Nile Delta to the White and Blue Niles. An exhibition at the Louvre Museum details the story of Taharqa; during the 8th century BC, Nubia gained independence from Egypt and became the home of the Kushite rulers, in what is now northern Sudan. The exhibition is a display of spectacular artefacts and antiquities from this period, brimming with granite statues and gold statuettes. ‘Pharaoh of the Two Lands’ highlights the importance of this vast kingdom’s rich heritage, located in what is known in the modern world as northern Sudan. For the past ten years, the Louvre has been conducting an archaeological campaign in Sudan and this exhibition is part of this unearthing of important history and culture buried beneath these rich soils.
Just a stone’s throw away from the Louvre, is the Tuileries Gardens, an oasis in the city centre – the perfect place to reflect on the awe inspiring and spectacular pieces contained within the Louvre.
In this article, we continue our culture trot across Europe, today landing in the world-famous Louvre. It is said that it takes over three days to see every single item in this museum, and it serves as France’s focal pinnacle of European culture. It is home to one of the richest collections of art in the world, with artefacts, antiquities, paintings and sculptures representative of over 11,000 years of human civilisation and ever- progressing evolution.
The Raft of the Medusa
One of the world’s most dark and harrowing images of human suffering and desperation is Théodore Géricault’s ‘The Raft of the Medusa’. Géricault was far beyond his years in his choice of subject, rejecting religious themes and grandeur, and opting for the depiction of contemporary events. The larger than life painting depicts the aftermath of the shipwreck of the French Royal Navy off the coast of Senegal in 1816. When the Medusa ran aground and there was a shortage of lifeboats, over 150 survivors embarked on a raft that lead to a 13-day ordeal, whereby the men descended into chaos, murder and cannibalism. Géricault’s ghoulish realism combined with his extraordinary skill created a painting that was grounded in the contemporary in its politics and societal implications, whilst also addressing the subject with unprecedented passion.
Virgin of the Rocks
Virgin of the Rocks is a painting that has perplexed and mystified art-lovers across the globe for centuries. Created by Leonardo da Vinci, an artist renowned for his genius that stretched over many disciplines - art, medicine, invention - this painting is a true representation of all Leondardo’s skills and knowledge; it captures scientific observation whilst drawing on unique artistic techniques and innovation. Leonardo’s fascination and apt understanding of the natural world is clearly depicted in this painting. Despite being a commission for an altar piece, it is also a study of landscape and the observed effect of water and time on the natural environment. Whilst making scientific observations, Leonardo also revolutionised art – innovating techniques such as chiaroscuro and sfumato. Chiaroscuro refers to the technique whereby the contrasting of light and shadow defines three dimensional figures by capturing twilight and to quote Leonardo “even the faces of ordinary people look beautiful at dusk when the light is low”, while Sfumato is another technique that draws upon the interaction of light and shadow whereby boundaries are smoky and blurry.
The Louvre | Pharaoh of the Two Lands | Until 25th July 2022
In the 8th century BC, the Nubian King conquered Egypt giving rise to the 25th dynasty of Kushite Kings who ruled for more than fifty years over a kingdom that stretched from the Nile Delta to the White and Blue Niles. An exhibition at the Louvre Museum details the story of Taharqa; during the 8th century BC, Nubia gained independence from Egypt and became the home of the Kushite rulers, in what is now northern Sudan. The exhibition is a display of spectacular artefacts and antiquities from this period, brimming with granite statues and gold statuettes. ‘Pharaoh of the Two Lands’ highlights the importance of this vast kingdom’s rich heritage, located in what is known in the modern world as northern Sudan. For the past ten years, the Louvre has been conducting an archaeological campaign in Sudan and this exhibition is part of this unearthing of important history and culture buried beneath these rich soils.
Just a stone’s throw away from the Louvre, is the Tuileries Gardens, an oasis in the city centre – the perfect place to reflect on the awe inspiring and spectacular pieces contained within the Louvre.
