Famous Louvre Paintings You Shouldn’t Miss When Visiting the Paris Museum

The Louvre Museum is a paradise for art lovers. It’s quite glamorous, surreal, and fabulously built. 

Going to the Louvre Museum and witnessing its most iconic and famous artworks is an experience of a lifetime.

The most intriguing part is that every painting at the Louvre has a mysterious background and history.

Although the Louvre Museum owns more than 35,000 pieces of art, did you know only a handful of Louvre paintings bring ninety percent of Paris Museum visitors?

If you’re visiting the Paris Museum and are not certain where to start or which Louvre paintings to see first, here are our top suggestions.

With our pick of 25 must-see artworks displayed at the Louvre Museum, you will make the best use of your time!

1. Mona Lisa

The number one reason most tourists visit the Paris Museum is to catch a glimpse of this most talked-about and expensive piece of art.

The Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci is one such work of art that nobody wants to miss taking a glance at during their visit.

Created in 1503, Da Vinci’s art was stolen and damaged a couple of times. 

Despite everything, the Louvre still allows its visitors to take a look at it, which is safely stored in Room 711, Denom Wing, Level 1.

Check out our Da Vinci Replica painting gallery if you wish to have one of his masterpieces handpainted just for you!

2. The Raft of the Medusa

The next well-known Louvre painting after Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa is The Raft of the Medusa.

Looking at it may make you tremble because it depicts the scenes from the horrifying frigate Medusa, with crew begging to survive, in complete disparity.

Theodore Gericault beautifully displays the horrendous scenarios that left many visitors speechless.

The Louvre artwork is realist and comprises several elements like pain, disparity, hunger, and trauma.

(Also Read: Famous Paintings By Leonardo da Vinci)

3. Liberty Leading the People

The most meaningful Louvre painting affiliated with France’s 1830 Revolution is Liberty Leading the People

It demonstrates a lady in a gown with her breasts visible, standing over a pile of corpses, waving the tri-color.

Eugene Delacroix beautifully covered a historical scene of France, emphasizing the lady, which was over the years regarded as a symbol of Liberty and the Republic.

The Louvre art piece is stored safely in Room 700, Denom Wing, Level 1.  

Also Read: History of Painting: Evolution Of The Greatest Form Of Art

4. The Coronation of Napoleon

Magnificent yet detailed, The Coronation of Napoleon takes the viewer closer to what it looks like to be crowned.

This Louvre artwork is probably Jacques Louis David’s best of the best because of its subjects, background, and expression. 

Probably the largest Louvre painting has been housed there for decades now. You may view it on the wall of room 75, Denom Wing, second floor of the Louvre museum.

(Also Read: Luncheon of the Boating Party)

5. The Virgin of the Rocks

The Virgin of the Rock is probably Da Vinci’s largest painting from the Louvre. 

It has an identical version stored at the National Gallery of London, with a few key differences, such as the difference in colors. 

Although Da Vinci focused on three figures—John the Baptist, the Virgin Mary, and Baby Jesus—there’s  another character—an angel named Uriel—next to the Virgin Mary.

The Louvre painting may look simple, with each character settling on the rock, but it tends to sprout new perspectives every time you look at it.

 

6. Oath of The Horatii

Another masterpiece by Jacques Louis David features the Horatti Brothers and their father taking vows to fight against the Alba.

The Louvre painting is very intense and meaningful, as women are shown sobbing and men, on the other side, look determined and fearless. 

The Louvre artwork may have a dark vibe, but it’s quite patriotic—the depiction of subjects shows they have put civic responsibilities and patriotism ahead of family love.

This fine Louvre painting is located in Denon Wing Hall 75.

7. The Card Sharp with the Ace of Diamonds

How one can put themselves in a vulnerable and helpless situation just by being greedy is what this Louvre painting is about.

Created in 1638, the painting features four figures, three of whom conspire to loot the man sitting on the right, who is absolutely scared to show his cards.

He realized he was being tricked by opponents, and he had no choice but to surrender.

Georges’ art inspired many painters; even the world’s most famous canine artwork, Dogs Playing Poker, drew its inspiration from this Louvre painting.

8. The Death of Sardanapalus

Looking at the Death of Sardanapalus is disturbing as it depicts Sardanapalus, the cruel ruler of Assyria, lying in bed, watching his people, raping women, and stabbing men.

The famous Louvre painting is brimming with violence, chaos, sorrow, and whatnot!

Showcasing some disturbing and gut-wrenching scenes onto canvas was a whole new challenge because it ultimately drew criticism and hatred for the artist.

But with time, it gained its due credibility and became a huge success!

Despite performing disastrously at the Salon where it was first presented in 1828, it made it to the top. To some extent, this contributed to the Louvre museum’s success because it rarely held this type of art in the past.

9. The Lacemaker

The Lacemaker is a famous Baroque painting, and the most solid and magnificent work by Johannes Vermeer ever recognized by the Louvre. 

The Paris Museum bought it for 1,254 French francs, which was equivalent to $254 at the time.

But now that it’s worth 10 times more, perhaps it’s an asset that the Louvre never wants to put out on auction. 

The Lacemaker shows the women working with utmost focus, care, and dedication, with minimal action yet quite impactful.

This artwork is hung on the wall of Room 837, in the Richelieu wing, on the second floor of the Louvre Museum.

(Suggested: Rothko’s No. 61 (Rust & Blue)

10. The Intervention of the Sabine Women

The Louvre artwork is a stunning creation of a famous French artist—who was imprisoned by authorities for the characters portrayed in this art.

The artist showed scenes of France’s turmoil. 

You may see bloodshed, chaos, and a warlike situation everywhere, but love prevailed—that’s what the artist wanted to show. 

After a historical conflict and bloodshed, people had gotten reunited, and this famous Louvre painting emphasized the victory of love over hatred.

You may see this iconic Louvre painting in the Denom Wing, Room 702, on the first floor.

11. Grande Odalisque

The Grande Odalisque is the most-celebrated nude artwork located in the Louvre museum.

Ingres conceptualized and produced this art by taking references from the Italian painters Titian and Giorgione. 

Various art communities and groups praised Ingres for his detailed work, such as her head, lying body, elongated limbs, and solid blue background. 

Every facet looked phenomenal and surreal. 

The famous Neoclassicism artwork is located at level 1, Denom Wing, Room 702 Daru Neoclassicism.

12. The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne

Louis XII commissioned Da Vinci, and he produced art that the King never received—later, the art was sold to the Louvre art Museum by an unknown owner.

The famous Louvre painting shows figures from three different generations indulge in various activities; for instance, Christ is seen grappling with a lamb, and the Virgin Mary, who is shown seated in Saint Anne’s lap, is restraining Christ. 

The Jesus art looks quite appealing, but according to some art researchers, it has a mysterious background.

For some, the subjects seemed mildly enigmatic, and the way characters were portrayed sprouted countless suspicious stories.

Also Read: Color Study: Squares with Concentric Circles

13. The Astronomer

The Louvre holds several art pieces that have been stolen quite a few times. 

One of them is The Astronomer, which traveled from one place to another, until the Louvre Museum bought it from the Rothchild Family in 1983.

The Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer sketched two artworks—Astronomer and Geographer, with a minimal difference.

The latter was stored in Germany’s museum, the former is in the Louvre, as these paintings featured the same man who’s focused and determined.

(Also Read: Harlem Renaissance Movement)

14. The Massacre at Chios

The Massacre at Chios covers a heart-wrenching event where figures are shown frozen and in a completely horrible manner.

The Louvre artwork never got its due recognition, but when the Louvre came into the picture in 1824, it received a fair amount of appreciation.

When you look at it, you won’t get a lump in your throat; perhaps you’ll like its details, as the Louvre painter put his heart and soul into the work. 

Covering Chio’s wartime experience was challenging, but the artist nailed it, and if he hadn’t created those subjects, the world would have never received such realistic artwork on Chio’s rough times. 

The Massacre at Chios is located in the same room where Ingres’ artworks are mounted.

Also Read: 21 Famous Landscape Paintings

15. Man with a Glove

The Man with a Glove shows what a man from an affluent class looks like.

The subject is apparently a character named Eliane from a novel called A Happy Death. 

The painter showed him looking at an indefinite point, with his left hand resting on the sofa chair handle, and the other on his lap.  

The emotions that appeared on his face are unidentified. But he belonged to a rich family, and had a charmed look.

The Man with a Glove traveled from one royal family to another, and finally, the Louvre Museum bought it at an auction in 1792, and it has been protected ever since.

(Also Read: 10 Controversial Artworks)

16. Ship of Fools

Ships of Fools is a triptych of art whose ⅔ parts are owned by the Louvre Art Gallery, and the bottom is in the Yale University of Art Gallery.

The piece of Louvre art is sensitive and a bit scary, as ten people are shown drifting in a boat, each suffering through different traumas.

The theme is disturbing, as people are shown lost and in utter trauma because it looks like they can’t escape.

Ships of Fools is one of the most-talked about Louvre works of art and was purchased twice by the museum itself.

(Suggested: 12 Surrealist Paintings That Inspire The Artists Of The 21st Century!)

17. The Fortune Teller

The Fortune Teller was created twice. Because the first was forcefully sold at a lower price, and to cover the loss, the second one was created, which is in the Louvre Museum currently.

The Louvre painting’s theme is fraud, cheating, and manipulation, as a man is shown being attracted by a Gypsy woman who is stealing his gold ring.

The most famous Louvre painting of the 16th century speaks a lot about Caravaggio’s interests, ideas, and artistic approach.

18. St. Michael Vanquishing Satan

St. Michael Vanquishing Satan is undoubtedly the most famous painting by Raphael.

The artwork is widely known for its message, as it shows the triumph of God over evil.

Raphael produced several religious paintings, but this one garnered massive audiences, making it the most-viewed artwork by the artist.

Both are large-sized paintings, and they’ve been owned by the Paris Museum for four centuries.

(Also Read: Claude Monet’s Paintings)

19. The Lictors Bring to Brutus the Bodies of His Sons

This gut-wrenching piece of art is in the Louvre’s permanent collection.

It seemed like a hard-hitting art, but it inclined toward sacrifice and devotion to protect and preserve the nation’s pride. 

If you look closely at each character, you’ll probably guess that the main subject has killed his own family members.

Sobbing women in the back, and a carefree and cold man looking at the viewer, tell a lot about the Louvre’s art.

Various human expressions, such as grief, trauma, and helplessness, are shown on canvas with a high intensity of neoclassicism.

20. Portrait of Louis XIV

The Portrait of Louis XIV had been famous before the Louvre acquired it because it was commissioned by the King himself.

A human-sized Louvre painting illustrates everything from the king’s dramatic attire to a majestic crown seated on the chair.

The way Louis XIV was shown standing with grace shows the administrative power he was carrying on.
Created in 1701, The Portrait of Louis XIV covered every minuscule detail; perhaps, that’s the reason why so many created its replica.

If you want to own its replica, look no further, than our reproduction artworks.

21. The Barque of Dante

Romanticism painter, Eugene fabulously covered Canto 8 of Dante’s Inferno.

Known for its details, the Louvre painting showed the emotions that occurred in this real event.

There are 10 people in the painting—7 of them are overboard, and in a much more disturbing and difficult state. In the background, there’s leaden, smoky mist, and the burning City of the Dead. Chaos and suffering are everywhere, as other boats sink into the sea.

The art is quite realistic and made appearances in various exhibitions before landing at the Louvre Museum.

22. Madonna of Chancellor Rolin

Jan Van Eyck’s Madonna of Chancellor Rolin is as meaningful as his Arnolifini Portrait

Jan depicted a hovering angel crowning the Virgin Mary, who is presenting the infant Jesus to Rolin.

If you look at it attentively, you’ll see two men in chaperons sneak through the crenellations, aiming to witness the fortified bridge in the middle of the city. 

Near them are two magpies and two peacocks standing on their left, symbolizing good (Jesus) and evil.

The Louvre artwork is dramatic, as on one side there is an angel approaching the Virgin Mary and on the other side there are figures indulged in conventional activities.

23. Death of a Virgin

Caravaggio was a mixbag, often combining religious elements with raw emotions. 

This artwork by Caravaggio is probably the last on Jesus’ mother’s death, which is on the wall of the Louvre Museum.

Death of a Virgin would feel like a personal loss, as the painter spectacularly created a sombre environment with his finesse.

The Louvre artwork received hatred and negative criticism, but in reality, it showed the demise of Virigin Mary, whose soul left for heaven.

Wouldn’t it be the most heart-breaking painting ever hung in the Louvre? But its composition would certainly shock the viewer, maybe to some extent.

24. The Turkish Bath

Ingres’s work The Turkish Bath is a perfect blend of near eastern and earlier western styles with mythological subjects.

Featuring a group of nude women in the bath of a harem in a more erotic style.

The Turkish Bath raised several eyebrows, and due to this, it remained private for several years of its existence.

The artwork wasn’t round in the first place the painter Ingres cut it into its present form in 1863.

25. The Arrival of Marie de Medici at Marseille

The fine piece at the Louvre was created by a Baroque painter, Sir Peter Paul Rubens.

Visitors to the Louvre have never left without praising it. The Medici family commissioned these 24 paintings, which covered various scenes of the commemoration of Marie de Medici and her husband, Henry IV of France.

This painting in the Louvre depicted the most historical events in her life, and was going to be used as a decorative piece in the Palais du Luxembourg.

The artwork acted as an heirloom and was later sent to the Louvre in the 17th century.

Final Note

If you’ve planned to visit the Paris Museum, make sure you see these most famous pieces in the Louvre. 

If you ask me “what famous art is in the Louvre,” I’ll probably reply that there are thousands, though you need 2-3 days to have a complete tour of the world’s largest art museum.

These are the famous paintings that hold records in several categories and are the best work of their respective artists. 

Hello, Art Appreciators!

Thank you for your consideration.

I hope you found this information useful.

I’ve listed 23 of the Louvre Museum’s best paintings that have received widespread acclaim, prizes, and, of course, attention from prestigious museums.

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