We had been told to purchase the Paris Pass for museums before we left home and was that ever a terrific idea. We sailed right past an enormous line of ticket buyers and had no wait at the Louvre entrance. But this is what we awaited us inside the Pyramide.
The Louvre was mobbed and it was October! On the map we located the paintings we really wanted to see and headed off. This is what we found when we got to Mona.
It was impossible. Over a hundred people were crowded in front of her, snapping pictures as fast as they could. We waved goodbye to Mona, gave up and moved on. One of our goals on this trip was to see as many paintings as possible by Caravaggio, one of our favorite artists. We missed two at the Louvre but found this one, La Diseuse de bonne aventure, 1595-1598.
Frustrated by the mobs, we left the more popular sites and went to the “new” Islamic wing of the museum. It was quiet and peaceful there with few people. Exhibits were beautifully displayed and well labeled. VIdeos of various processes were also included. This exquisitely carved ivory container was commissioned by a ruler in Cordoba, Spain, for his son.
The beautiful calligraphy and wonderful design of this fragment of a dish from Iran, 10th-11th century, made me wonder what the whole piece had looked like and admire the expertise of its creator.
There was a great deal of tile work. This piece, Tiles with blossom spray, from Turkey, 1540-1545, with its sinuous curves was a perfect example of the level of artistry those artisans achieved.
As if one gorgeous tile were not enough, look at this section of tile wall, the wonderful rhythm of the curves and the use of repetition and balance in the composition.
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