Treasures of the Louvre Museum with Marie Dessaillen

Did you know that even though its galleries measure more than 800,000 square feet, only 5% of the Musee du Louvre's collections are able to be displayed within its halls? It would take more than thirty days to view every single one of the 35,000 works which adorn this iconic world-class museum. For centuries, this landmark institution has astonished and overwhelmed its visitors – who keep coming back for more.

Event Details:

Musee du Louvre was established during the French Revolution in order to safeguard works of art – its curators presented the collections of the Kings of France, as well as art rescued from churches and aristocratic homes, and it has been growing ever since from private donations. Some of these masterpieces have become pop culture icons, like the smile of Mona Lisa or the armless Venus de Milo, others surprise you when you round a corner. Together we will delve into the history of the works – the techniques, the artists, and the patrons. 

Led by historian and art historian Marie Dessaillen, a specialist of French 15th-18th-century history and European 15th-18th-century art history, our 90-minute discussion will present a bouquet of her favorite sculptures and paintings. We venture from Greek art to the Italian Renaissance (Uccello, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Veronese) to the Dutch Golden Age (Vermeer) and French gallant, classical and romantic 18th-19th century paintings (Watteau, David, Gericault). 

When you next visit the Louvre, you will look at these beautiful paintings and statues with the eye of a connoisseur.

About Your Expert:

The daughter of a sculptor, Marie has been surrounded by art ever since she was born. A native Parisienne, she holds an undergraduate degree in history and art history, with a specialty in iconography and French and Flemish paintings from the 16th to the 18th centuries. She also holds a Master's degree in museology from the Ecole du Louvre and one in Art History from the Sorbonne.