Paintings in the Louvre

by Lawrence Gowing

120 essays by a distinguished art historian represent a guided tour of more than eight hundred European masterpieces from the art collection of the world-famous Louvre. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1556700075
• Release Date: January 1987
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
• Length: 687 Pages
• Weight: 8.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 11.8" x 2.3" x 10.0"

Customer Reviews

Great overview.

Context: I'm not an academic or a scholar; I'm a regular guy who likes visiting museums when I travel and I wanted to do a little researach before I left. This book worked well for my daughter and I to determine which parts of the museum deserved the most time (on a short trip) and to get a better understanding of the works. I'm not qualified to evaluate it from an academic perspective, but as a layman it was exactly what we needed.

A Stunning Inspirational Expression of the Louvre

I admire deeply the work put together in this book. I believe it was compiled with integrity to the purpose of relaying the center of some of the world's most exquisite art. First of all it is a massive volume in deep, rich color and when you receive it no matter what price you paid it feels well worth it. On several pages you will see a whole painting and then on the next page an enlarged version of the painting's focal point, a section of the art to show the rich detail. Of course you will lose some detail with any representation of this work. But if you can't make it to the Louvre or have been to the Louvre and would like to bring some of the soul stilling art home I highly recommend this book.

Paintings In the Louvre

Unparalleled in its breadth and scope, and unique in the quality of its sumptuous color reproductions, "Paintings In the Louvre" is THE BEST, the most lavish and comprehensive book ever published on the greatest collection of paintings in the world - in the Louvre Museum, in Paris. If you really like beautiful, fine European art, then this oversized, weighty, hard-back book is the book for you! Crisp, clear, beautiful full-color reproductions of more than 800 of the most important paintings that hang in the Louvre, this book is especially wonderful in that a good portion of this book is some of the most striking Christian art in the world....BTW, if you visit the Louvre, you will need one entire day just to see all of the magnificent paintings (carry a MEDIUM-SMALL rucksack with food and water and take a break(s) outside - at the refreshing and beautiful huge fountains). To see all of the over 300,000 "objects d' art" at the Louvre (with 12 miles of corridors on four massive floors!), then plan on spending a minimum of one-and-a-half to two days there! Bring lots of film, and if you have an automatic zoom camera, be sure to get the relatively new special "zoom" camera film made by ...ENJOY!

Water-damage has made me need this book even more . . .

Wonderful, both in its succinct review/descriptions & it's striking colour plates. It has been with me for over ten years & has accompanied my re-location from Los Angeles to Florida. It must be the first book replaced . . .

A MUST HAVE REFERENCE FOR LOVERS OF FINE PAINTINGS!

After visiting the Louvre on two occassions we wanted a good reference book to place on our coffee table. This book is the best on the market! The profusely detailed colored photos throughout are nothing less than superior quality. The history of each painting is explained and a lot of information about the artist, their life, and style is also discussed in great detail. This is NOT a small book. It has proven to be invaluable in researching various art works. If you cannot make a trip to Paris to visit the Louvre in person, this book is mandated. Unfortunately, I bought the book at the Louvre and paid SIGNIFICANTLY more! Don't make the same mistake I did. I can honestly say, this book is a family favorite and I have several.