The exterior extrance of the Louvre
When anyone thinks of the Louvre, immediately "The Mona Lisa" is the first image that comes to mind. Which in a way makes sense-- the "Mona Lisa" is one of the most, if not the most famous art piece at the Louvre. The 2′ 6 " x 1′ 9″ half portrait is probably the most famous work of Leonardo Da Vinci; and yes, most people are very surprised that the Mona Lisa is as small as it is. Regardless of size, 16,000 vistors of the Lovure each day flock into the Salle des Etats to stare at the magnificent and mysterious painting of the 16th century women, according to an employee at the Louvre. And while thousands enter the Salle des Etats, few admire the other 26 paintings in the room.
The entrance of the Salle des Etats
The Salle des Etats is home to some of the most important paintings from the Venetian Renaissance period. While the most admired piece of art in this room is the infamous Mona Lisa that hangs on wall in the center of the room, some of most wonderful Renaissance artwork fills the perimeter of this exhibit. There are a few works to keep an eye out for if you are planning to explore this exhibit.
The largest painting in the room is the "Les Noces de Cana" which means the Wedding at Cana by the Italian artist, Paolo Veronese. This is a beautiful painting that depicts the Biblical story of the Marriage of Cana (John 2:1-11). According the Louvre website, Les Noces de Cana is the most expansive canvas in the painting collections at the Louvre. The painting is a scene of a wedding in Cana that Jesus, Mary, and some of his Apostles were invited to attend. In the biblical story, there was a wine shortage and Jesus performed his first miracle by transforming water into wine. Veronese chose to paint the banquet scene. According to tradition, Paolo painted himself into the scene; he is the musician in the white tunic. There are also important historical figures included in the masterpiece such as Emperor Charles V, Mary I of England, and Francis I of France to name a few. Here are just a few of the important symbols in this painting: Jesus is the only painted figure looking directly at the viewer of the painting, the upper part of the painting is demoninated by Greco-Roman architecture, and there is a distinct contrast between light and shadow which depicts the co-existence of mortality and earthly pleasures.
The Paolo Veronese painting "Les Noces de Cana"
Another incredible artpiece in the Salle des Etats is the painting by Jacopo Robusti Tintoret called "Le Couronnement de la Vierge, dit Le Paradis" also known as the Coronation of the Virgin. This is a apocryphal biblical painting that follows the Assumption and depicts the celetical welcome of the Virgin by Christ who lifts her above the blessed. In this episode, the Virgin is being crowned by Christ, her son. She is surrounded by saints and angel magicians (their names are engraved on their halos). Some key figures to be noted in this painting are Mary Magdalene, who is wearing red with flowing hair and holding perfume, St. Agnes, holding a lamb to her breast, and St. Catherine of Alexandria with the wheel of her martyrdom. This is definitely something that you should take a moment and admire.
On the left hand side of the of the Salle des Etats, the Le Couronnement de la Vierge, dit Le Paradis hangs
A key aspect of the Renaissance was the rebirth of Classical Antiquity. So while there was a vast amount of Christian artpieces painted, there was also many Greco-Roman mythological paintings. In the Salle des Etats, there are few mythological paintings. One in particular is a work done by the artist, Tiziano Vecellio dit Titien and the piece is called "Jupiter et Antiope dit aussi La Venus de Pardo" also known as Pardo Venus. This name actually derives from the Spanish palace of El Pardo, where the painting was kept for years. The naked women is interpreted at Venus. However, this scene is a depiction of the story of Antiope, a princess, from Ovid's Metamorphoses VI when Zeus comes to her to in the form of a satyr.
On the right hand side of the Salle des Etats behind the Mona Lisa, the Jupiter et Antiope dit aussi La Venus de Pardo hangs.
The wonderful thing about the Louvre is that there is truly a story behind every work on display. Even in the room where the most famous piece at the museum resides, there are so many other paintings that will enchant the eye. These were just three of the masterpieces in the Salle des Etats.
