The louvre is a pretty amazing place. Large collections of many artifacts and paintings and antiquities. We spent most of our time in the Greek and egyptian collections as well as the Italian gallery and napoleonic apartments. One of the good things about the museum is that they rented audio guides (nintendo ds systems that were loaded with maps and information about the important exhibits). This makes the museum much more informative I find as it lets me understand what I'm looking at and why it's important. Today Lori asked why a small egyptian dagger was given such a large display case. Turns out its about 5000 years old - seems like something of value! There was some art that to me seemed to blend in to the many other paintings. I didn't realize it was the "first time" Mary was represented as an ordinary woman, wearing normal clothes and without the aura of holy-ness. Quite a scandal at the time.
The other thing that caught my attention was the sense that the French see themselves as guardians of world art and culture. As if they are the curators of the world museum - caring and understanding art that only they could appreciate. Hard to argue when you see the spectacular settings in which the paintings and antiquities are displayed.
I'd like to be educated in art history but without being a snob about it. Like a wine connesieur but not one that you want to punch in the face. One that you'd like to share a bottle of wine or two with willingly. Sort of like a GOOD WILL HUNTING version of intellectual. "Surprise! You didn't know I was Mensa did you?"
More updates to come. I need my diapers changed.
QOTD: "Marco, come take a selfie of me!"
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