Louvre: Portrait of a Museum (Abradale Books) [Hardcover]

Nicholas D'Archimbaud (Author)

Book Description

Series: Abradale Books | Publication Date: March 1, 2001

From Mona Lisa's smile to Napoleon's plundered treasures and I. M. Pei's controversial glass pyramid, Louvre: Portrait of a Museum presents one of the world's greatest and most popular museums not as a sum of its masterpieces, but as a living, changing institution that reflects the artistic, political, and social history of the western world. It features 650 magnificent reproductions, previously unpublished archival plans and documents, and lively essays on the museum's history and collections.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

This sumptuous, 335-page book, which is illustrated with 650 original photographs by the author as well as hundreds of works of art in the Louvre's vast holdings (plus archival plans and documents), is the next best thing to being in Paris, at the great museum itself. This history of 600 years of royal patronage, architectural adjustment, and voracious collecting of sculptures, treasures, paintings, and antiquities is for the cultured traveler, the intelligent tourist, and the art-loving amateur. The picture captions are warmly written and discursive, often with only minimal details about size and materials, and the text is much too user-friendly for art historians. But there is a great deal of information here, which could be absorbed only through long hours of perusal. The book is divided into three main sections: Eight Centuries of History; Architecture; and The Louvre's Seven Departments, including painting, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, and Egyptian antiquities, sculpture, and the decorative arts. The building itself is treated to a long discussion of the kings, queens, and presidents who have tried and failed to have the last word on its appearance and use. Torn down, rebuilt, redesigned, and, finally, wrenched into the late 20th century by I.M. Pei's controversial glass pyramid, the Louvre is an evolving work of art. (This book looks like the sort a parent leaves open on a coffee table, attempting to edify the children, but note the two or three full-page reproductions of artworks depicting tumescent male organs.) --Peggy Moorman --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

This latest cheapie reprint from Abradale is no less impressive than past titles. Published in 1978 by Stewart, Tabori & Chang, this is the same edition with a new cover. The author offers not only samples of the great museum's singular collection but a history of the facility itself. If you passed on this the first time, pounce now. A stunner.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams (March 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810982153
• ISBN-13: 978-0810982154
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 9.7 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,292,126 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars beautiful!!!!!, October 9, 1999

By 

W. Miller "stormy" (Seattle, Wa.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Louvre: Portrait of a Museum (Hardcover)

Whether you've been to the Louvre and want to protect and enhance your memories or you just want to see the most beautiful works of art ever collected this is the perfect book! It gives you history, background info and of course amazing pictures! You're next purchase will be plane tickets to Paris!!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exquisite!, November 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Louvre: Portrait of a Museum (Hardcover)

A true masterpiece. A fresh look at one of the world's most extraordinary museums. I received this book as a gift, and I have truly enjoyed it.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful to remember your visit to the Louvre!, February 4, 2006

By 

B. Bennette "bmbennette" (Boston (Weymouth) MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Louvre: Portrait of a Museum (Hardcover)

I bought this book for my son before I visited the Louvre because he was majoring in art. A few years later, I went to Paris and visited the Louvre. It was great to look through the book after having been there! It's still his book, but it was so wonderful to have it around after experiencing the incredible galleries in person! If you're going to the Louvre, my suggestion would be to really go through this book FIRST... then go to the Louvre! There's so much there it's overwhelming. I wish I'd planned out my visit there after going through the book.