The Louvre Museum is the largest museum in the world, housing a massive art collection of over 35,000 masterpieces from over 4,000 years of history!
Amongst the massive collection, some masterpieces shine brightly for this deep historical, cultural, and literary significance.
First-time visitors who cannot spend a day exploring the 60,600 square meter wide museum must know all about the best artworks so they can plan their itinerary accordingly.
In this article, we’ll discover 12 of the top Louvre Museum artworks, known for their beauty and unique depiction, made by some of the best artists worldwide!
1. Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa
One of the most famous paintings worldwide, the Mona Lisa, is known for its artistic beauty and deep influence on music, art, literature, and other fields!
It is a 500-year-old painting, crafted by Leonardo between 1503 and 1519, depicting a portrait of Madame Lisa del Giocondo.
The famous painting of the “woman without eyebrows,” depicts a wealthy Florentine woman smiling at the viewer, surrounded by a nature scenery as the background.
Even though it has a simple composition, the painting is da Vinci’s most recognizable piece today for its brilliant artistic technique and depiction of realistic human features.
Leonardo da Vinci used his famous sfumato technique, which creates soft transitions between colours, to give the painting a soft and warm look.
It has always been the centre of many theories because of the eerie nature of her smile and other elements hidden in the piece.
Location: In the Salle des Etats Room of the Denon Wing.
2. The Winged Victory of Samothrace
Also known as the Nike of Samothrace, this sculpture dates back to the 2nd century BC and is from the Hellenistic period.
It depicts a headless and armless Nike, the Greek Goddess of victory, with two beautiful wings coming out of her torso that stand to welcome all!
She wears a beautiful, flowy garment, carved so perfectly it captures the eye of all visitors exploring the Musuem.
The Winged Victory of Samothrace is one of the rare surviving statues to display the techniques used by artists during the Hellenistic period.
The statue was brought to the Museum from the Island of Samothrace in 1863 by Charles Champoiseau.
It is a plain white sculpture, but archaeologists believe it was painted with bright colours in its original home.
Location: At the top of the Daru Staircase at Level 1 in the Denon Wing, Room 703.
3. Liberty Leading the People by Eugene Delacroix
Depicting the French Revolution of 1830, which ended the reign of King Charles X, the painting of Liberty Leading the People is a must-see!
It shows the end of the Age of Enlightenment, depicting a woman in white as the center focus, who holds the French flag in her raised hand.
She’s looking behind at an army of soldiers, trampling the bodies of injured and dead soldiers from the war under her feet.
This woman symbolizes Liberty, showing the triumph of the revolution parties over the ruling government!
Researchers also believe that Eugene Delacroix hid his self-portrait in this masterpiece, which he painted in 1830.
History lovers must make time to see this artwork, which will tell you so much more about the revolutionary history of France!
Location: In the Denon Wing, Room 700, on the first floor.
4. The Venus de Milo by Marquis de Riviere
Venus de Milo is another sculpture from the Hellenistic period, depicting the figure of the Greek Goddess Aphrodite.
It was brought from Aegen Island of Milos in 1820 and donated by Marquis de Riviere. It stands at a height of 6 feet 7 inches.
Aphrodite, the Greek Goddess of love and beauty, showcases the ideal beauty standards from ancient Greece.
The arms of the statue are missing, however, this does not reduce its striking marble beauty and accuracy of form.
Sculptors travel worldwide to marvel at the chiselled sculpture and learn from it, which has inspired many others over the years.
Location: Ground floor of the Sully Wing, in Room 345.
5. The Raft of the Medusa by Theodore Gericault
Depicting a horrifying scene of the tragic shipwreck accident of the French Frigate Medusa, the painting is one of the most visited in the Museum!
Theodore Gericault painted this captivating artwork in 1830, showing the hopeful scene of 15 survivors looking at a ship approaching their rescue.
These survivors remained afloat in the sea for 13 days, which Theodore captured perfectly in their tired faces and desperate looks!
The people in the painting are arranged in a pyramid-like structure, and each inch of the depiction shows a different scene of terror.
The Raft of the Medusa is a 23-foot-tall painting and hard to miss because of its dull colors and one-of-a-kind depiction!
Location: In the Denon Wing, in the Red Rooms number 700, level 1.
6. Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss by Antonio Canova
If you imagine Cupid as a young boy with arrows and wings, you must see the real mythological depiction of Cupid in the Louvre!
The sculpture Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss depicts an intimate and tender scene based on the values of the Romantic art movement in France.
It is the favorite art piece of all romantics visiting, depicting the mythological story of Cupid waking up his lover Psyche from an endless sleep.
This Sleeping beauty-like backstory pulls at the heartstrings of all visitors, and not only that but it’s intricate carving and perfect body structure capture the eye of all art lovers as well!
You can also see a few additional elements highlighting the identity of the figures, as Cupid is shown with wings and his bow and arrows.
Location: In room 403 of Denon Wing, on the ground floor.
7. The Coronation of Napoleon by Jacques-Louis David
One of the favorites for all history lovers is the massive 20-foot tall and 33-foot wide painting of the Coronation of Napoleon!
It depicts the scene of Napoleon’s Coronation when he crowned himself in the Notre Dame Cathedral instead of letting the Pope crown the new King as per tradition.
The painting shows the scene of Napoleon holding a crown in hand ready to place it on his wife Josephine’s head, surrounded by many clergymen and royals.
It clearly shows the nature of ancient politics, as the representatives of other countries are present in the background, and in the front is Napeleon’s extended family.
The painting has many hidden meanings and easter eggs, which can be difficult to spot unless you know France’s history in detail.
We recommend taking a Louvre Museum Guided Tour, which will give you more knowledge about the piece, allowing you to have the most memorable experience!
Location: In the Denon Wing, room 702 on the first floor.
8. The Dying and Rebellious Prisoner Statues by Michelangelo
Michelangelo’s only works in the Louvre are the sculptures of the dying and rebellious prisoners, known for their realistic portrayal!
Fans of Michelangelo must know about the other four statues at the Accademia Gallery, and these two are a part of the same collection!
These two life-like human figures stand seven feet tall in the Louvre Museum!
The Dying Prisoner depicts the nude figure of a man in a standing position with his eyes closed and arms raised.
Unlike the Accademia Gallery statues, this statue is complete, allowing visitors to admire the intricate carving techniques of Michelangelo, known for his mastery of human anatomy!
The Rebellious Prisoner statue depicts a man trying to break free from the shackles, holding his hands to his back, twisting as he tries to free himself.
These sculptures were originally designed for the Tomb of Pope Julius II in 1513!
Location: In the Denon Wing, on the ground floor in Room 403.
9. Johannes Vermeer’s Lacemaker
Johannes Vermeer is known for his simple paintings that depict the beauty of daily life, which is evident through his stunning Lacemaker painting!
Painted between 1669 and 1670, the Lacemaker depicts the portrait of a woman trying to place a pin in the lace she is sewing.
The woman wears a bright yellow bodice and is surrounded by furniture and cloth of a striking green color with a simple beige background.
This painting is Vermeer’s smallest work, but its beauty remains unbeatable as it focuses on women’s lives in the past.
Artists can admire the techniques used to contrast shading to depict the light source, which gives the painting a life-like appearance.
Location: In the Richelieu Wing in room 837.
10. Guillaume Coustou’s Marly Horses Sculptures
The famous sculptures that do not fall under the Greek mythological art collection are the Cararra Marble Marly Horses!
They are simple sculptures depicting two horses rearing in excitement and anger while the grooms try to get them under control.
The sculpture greatly inspired the Romantic artists, as Guillaume captures the emotions of fear and rage realistically on the horses’ faces!
These were originally commissioned for King Louis XV by Guillaume Coustou to replace the sculptures at Chateau de Marly in 1793.
Location: In the Richelieu Wing, room 102.
11. The Wedding at Cana by Paolo Veronese.
A must-see for Catholics is the marvellous depiction of the Biblical miracle of the Wedding at Cana in the Louvre!
Raphael’s Vatican Museum frescos inspired the painting, which depicts the chaotic wedding scene in Venetian society, where Jesus turns water into wine.
You will spot the portrait of Jesus at the centre of the painting, sitting behind the main table, with his mother, Mary, on the left.
It is a colourful and lively painting, with a canvas covering depictions of over 150 people, each having unique expressions and perfect anatomical shapes!
Location: In the Denon Wing in Salle des Etats Room.
12. The Death of the Virgin by Caravaggio
The Death of the Virgin depicts the sorrowful and emotional scene of the Virgin Mary’s death, surrounded by the disciples who mourn her.
It was painted between 1602 and 1606 and is very different from other paintings of Mary that show her as divine.
Mary is depicted as completely mortal in this painting, as her body is laid in a dark room, surrounded by the crying Mary Magdelaine, Saints Peter, and the other Apostles.
It is a favorite among Pilgrims, as it reflects the true scene of Mary’s death, and the grief of the Apostles is highlighted in Caravaggio’s use of dull colors and use of shadows.
The Death of the Virgin is one of the most significant and raw works by Caravaggio, which, despite its criticisms, is extremely popular today! \
Location: In the Denon Wing.
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FAQs on Louvre Museum Artworks
1. What is the most famous artwork in the Louvre Museum?
The Mona Lisa is the most famous artwork in the Louvre in the Denon Wing of the Museum. The picture is encased in a bulletproof glass casing.
2. How many artworks are in the Louvre?
There are 35,000 artworks in the Louvre Musuem. The Museum also has another 50,000 artefacts on display. There are three Wings with over 400 rooms in the Museum.
3. What are the must-sees in the Louvre?
Some must-see Louvre Museum artworks are the Mona Lisa, Nike of Samothrace, Venus de Milo, Liberty Leading the People, and Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss.
4. Which is the most famous artwork in the Richelieu Wing?
The Marly Horses by Guillaume Coustou is the most famous artwork in the Richelieu Wing.
5. Which is the most famous artwork in the Sully Wing?
Marquis de Riviere’s Venus de Milo is the most famous artwork in the Sully Wing of the Louvre.
6. What is the oldest item in the Louvre?
The Ain Ghazal Statue, excavated from a Neolithic site in Jordan, is the oldest item at the Louvre. It is around 9,000 years old.
7. Do I need tickets to see the Louvre Museum artwork?
You must have tickets to see the artworks in the Louvre. The Louvre Museum tickets cost €25 for adults between 18 and 99 years old.