“All great artists started with paintings of fruit. I
started with a painting of bottles:
no wonder I am not an artist” (Elizabeth)
Today was an ‘artist’s day’.
We began at the Louvre.
Built as a fortress in the 1100’s by King Phillipe-Auguste,
it later became a castle, until Napoleon turned it into a museum in 1793.
Our early start today brought us to the museum as it opened and
we made our way immediately to visit the Mona
Lisa (or Joconde as she is known here).
To our surprise this relatively small painting is hung behind glass,
with two barriers between it and the crowds. A museum guard pays close
attention that no one crosses the barriers.
Other works by DaVinci, Bottecelli, Raphael and Donatello were less closely guarded.
Other works by DaVinci, Bottecelli, Raphael and Donatello were less closely guarded.
After enjoying the works of 13 th to 17 th century painters
including both French and Italian Renaissance masters, we made our way to the
opulent Gallery D’Apollo, where artifacts from 17th century French aristocrats
are on display.
The girls also found the time to take in some of the museum’s
collection of ancient Greek and Egyptian artifacts.
Having enjoyed some great works of art, we then made our way
through the streets of Paris for yet more adventure.
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