Le Louvre — À propos — Slash Paris

The Musée du Louvre presents works of art from the Medieval period to 1848, ancient civilizations that preceded and influenced Islamic Art. The collections are displayed in departments, each with a proper history influenced by curators, collectors and donators: Near Eastern Antiquities ; Egyptian Antiquities ; Islamic Art ; Greek, Etruscan and Roman civilizations ; Sculptures ; Decorative Arts ; Paintings ; Prints and Drawings.

Near Eastern Antiquities

The Department of Near Eastern Antiquities is devoted to the ancient civilizations of the Near East and encompasses a period that extends from the first settlements, which appeared more than ten thousand years ago, to the advent of Islam.

Egyptian Antiquities

The Department of Egyptian Antiquities presents vestiges from the civilizations that developed in the Nile Valley from the late prehistoric era (c. 4000 BC) to the Christian period (4th century AD).

Islamic Art

The Department of Islamic Art is currently closed, but scheduled to reopen in 2012 in a new gallery in the Cour Visconti. Some two thousand objects will be on display, reflecting the breadth of inspiration and creativity of the Islamic lands over thirteen centuries and three continents. The “Selected work” section remains available for public information.

Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities

This department oversees works from the Greek, Etruscan, and Roman civilizations, illustrating the art of a vast area that encompasses Greece, Italy, and the whole of the Mediterranean basin, spanning a period that stretches from Neolithic times (4th millennium BC) to the 6th century AD.

Decorative Arts

The Department of Decorative Arts presents a highly varied range of objects with different shape, materials and periods, including jewelry, tapestries, ivories, bronzes, ceramics, and furniture. The collection extends from the Middle Ages to the first half of the 19th century.

Sculptures

The Department of Medieval, Renaissance, and Modern Sculpture has the world’s largest collection of French sculpture in the Richelieu wing, and masterpieces of Italian and Germanic sculpture in the Denon wing.

Paintings

The Department of Paintings reflects the encyclopedic scope of the Louvre, encompassing every European school from the 13th century to 1848. The collection is overseen by twelve curators, who are among the most renowned experts in their field.

Prints and drawings

One of the Louvre’s eight departments is devoted to the museum’s extraordinary collection of works on paper. These fragile works feature in temporary exhibitions and can also be viewed privately by arrangement.

History of the Louvre

The Louvre, in its successive architectural metamorphoses, has dominated central Paris since the late 12th century. Built on the city’s western edge, the original structure was gradually engulfed as the city grew. The dark fortress of the early days was transformed into the modernized dwelling of François I and, later, the sumptuous palace of the Sun King, Louis XIV. Here we explore the history of this extraordinary edifice and of the museum that has occupied it since 1793.