Discover Da Vinci Paintings in the Louvre: A Renaissance Masterpiece Journey
The Louvre Museum in Paris is home to an unparalleled collection of Leonardo da Vinci artworks, showcasing the genius of one of history’s most significant Renaissance masters. As you step into this iconic institution, you’ll encounter five remarkable da Vinci masterpieces, each telling a unique story of artistic innovation and mystery.
This guide will take you through the mesmerizing Da Vinci masterpieces in Paris, offering insights into their history, significance, and the best ways to experience these iconic paintings during your visit to the Louvre Museum.
If you like paintings, reading this post is just a first step. Indeed, you can also book your Louvre Private Tour with Yves, our knowledgeable Louvre tour guide. Optimize your experience with a Louvre Evening Tour. A large number of private tours of Paris are also available.
- The Mona Lisa: Da Vinci’s Enigmatic Masterpiece
- The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne: Leonardo’s Final Masterpiece
- The Virgin of the Rocks: A Tale of Two Versions
- Saint John the Baptist: Illuminating the Divine
- La Belle Ferronnière: A Portrait of Mystery and Debate
- Leonardo’s Revolutionary Techniques: Sfumato and Chiaroscuro
- Conservation Efforts: Preserving Da Vinci’s Legacy
- The French Connection: How Da Vinci’s Works Came to the Louvre
- Da Vinci Beyond the Louvre: A Global Perspective
- Tips for Viewing Da Vinci’s Works at the Louvre
- Frequently Asked Questions
Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci
The Mona Lisa: Da Vinci’s Enigmatic Masterpiece
The crown jewel among Da Vinci paintings in the Louvre is undoubtedly the Mona Lisa (La Gioconda). Created between 1503 and 1506, this iconic portrait continues to captivate millions of visitors annually.
The Mona Lisa exemplifies Leonardo’s mastery of sfumato, a technique that creates a soft, hazy effect through subtle gradations of light and shadow. This technique is particularly evident in the corners of the subject’s mouth and eyes, contributing to her famously ambiguous expression.
The painting’s allure lies not just in its technical brilliance but in the mysteries surrounding the sitter’s identity and the meaning behind her enigmatic smile. Learn more about the Mona Lisa’s history and significance from the Louvre’s official Mona Lisa page.
Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci – Detail of the face.
The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne: Leonardo’s Final Masterpiece
One of the most significant Da Vinci paintings in the Louvre is “The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne,” Leonardo’s last great masterpiece. Left unfinished at his death in 1519, this painting showcases the artist’s lifelong fascination with the theme.
The complex, pyramidal composition depicts the Virgin Mary seated on her mother, Saint Anne’s lap while holding the Christ Child. The intertwining figures and the innovative use of sfumato create a dream-like atmosphere that enhances the scene’s spirituality.
Recent conservation efforts have revealed this masterpiece’s vivid colors and intricate details, offering new insights into Leonardo’s creative process. The C2RMF (Centre for Research and Restoration of Museums of France) provides detailed information (in French) about this painting and its restoration on its official website. The restaurant has been quite controversial.
The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne by Leonardo da Vinci
The Virgin of the Rocks: A Tale of Two Versions
The Louvre houses the earlier of the two versions of Da Vinci’s The Virgin of the Rocks, completed around 1483-1486. This captivating painting depicts the Virgin Mary, the infant Jesus, the infant John the Baptist, and an angel in a rocky landscape.
Commissioners of the painting rejected the first version due to its unconventional composition, particularly the angel pointing to John the Baptist. This led to the creation of a second version (now in London’s National Gallery) around 1508.
The Louvre version features more angular rocks, a cooler color palette, and the controversial gesture of the angel. Both paintings showcase Leonardo’s mastery of sfumato, creating a misty, ethereal quality that adds to the scene’s mystical atmosphere.
Leonardo da Vinci – The Virgin of the Rocks – London version – The angel do not point to Saint John the Baptist any more.
Leonardo da Vinci – The Virgin of the Rocks – Louvre version – Detail of Christ Child and the angel pointing at Saint John the Baptist.
Saint John the Baptist: Illuminating the Divine
Created between 1513 and 1516, Saint John the Baptist is one of Leonardo’s final paintings. This masterpiece depicts John the Baptist emerging from shadowy darkness, pointing heavenward with his right hand.
The painting’s use of extreme chiaroscuro (strong contrasts between light and dark) creates a powerful, almost mystical atmosphere. The sfumato technique is employed here to great effect, softening the figure’s contours and creating a sense of spiritual illumination.
Interestingly, a variation of this painting, known as Bacchus, was created by overpainting the original, likely by a pupil of Leonardo (who may be Francesco Melzi). This transformation speaks to the complex history and interpretation of Da Vinci’s works.
NB: The Saint John the Baptist painting, which was lent to the Louvre Abu Dhabi for two years since November 8th, 2022, is now back in Paris!
Leonardo da Vinci – Saint John the Baptist.
Leonardo da Vinci workshop – Saint John the Baptist, known as Bacchus.
La Belle Ferronnière: A Portrait of Mystery and Debate
La Belle Ferronnière, another intriguing portrait among the Da Vinci paintings in the Louvre, continues to spark debate among art historians. The subject’s identity remains a mystery, with suggestions ranging from Lucrezia Crivelli, a mistress of Ludovico Sforza, to Isabella of Aragon.
Recent scholarship has raised questions about the painting’s attribution, with some experts suggesting it might be the work of a pupil or follower of Leonardo rather than the master himself. Despite these uncertainties, the painting showcases the hallmarks of Leonardo’s style, including the three-quarter view portrait, the use of sfumato, and the subject’s direct, engaging gaze.
Leonardo da Vinci (attribution) – La Belle Ferronnière.
Leonardo’s Revolutionary Techniques: Sfumato and Chiaroscuro
Leonardo da Vinci’s paintings are renowned for their innovative techniques, particularly sfumato and chiaroscuro. Sfumato, meaning “smoked” in Italian, involves blending colors and tones so subtly that there is no perceptible transition. This technique creates a soft, hazy effect that lends an air of mystery and depth to Leonardo’s works.
Chiaroscuro, the strong contrast between light and dark, adds drama and dimensionality to his paintings. These techniques, perfected by Leonardo, profoundly influenced subsequent generations of artists and continue to captivate viewers today.
Conservation Efforts: Preserving Da Vinci’s Legacy
The Louvre has undertaken significant conservation efforts to preserve and study the Da Vinci paintings in its collection. Notable among these is the recent restoration of “The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne,” completed in 2012. This painstaking process revealed vibrant colors and details previously obscured by centuries of dirt and discolored varnish.
Similarly, ongoing research and conservation work on the Mona Lisa continues to yield new insights into Leonardo’s techniques and the painting’s history. These efforts ensure that future generations can continue to marvel at these Renaissance masterpieces.
The French Connection: How Da Vinci’s Works Came to the Louvre
The tree paintings were most probably acquired by Francis I of France from Gian Giacomo Caprotti da Oreno (Leonardo’s Pupil and assistant, better known as Salai) in 1518, the year before Leonardo’s death.
The other Kings of France then continued to look after da Vinci’s masterpièces,
The Virgin of the Rocks was not one of the paintings Leonardo brought with him to France. We don’t know how it entered the French royal collection; there are three hypotheses. The only certainty is that the first evidence that it was part of it dates back to 1625.
La Belle ferronnière was first mentioned in 1642 in the French royal collection.
Saint John the Baptist, who went out of the French royal collection in obscure circumstances, was acquired again by Louis XIV in 1662 from the famous collection of Charles the First of England, which was sold after he was beheaded in 1649 (ending the English Civil War).
Over the centuries, the royal collection became part of the Louvre Museum, cementing the Louvre’s status as a premier destination for lovers of Renaissance art.
Royal Castle of Amboise, where Leonardo da Vinci was buried. Credit: Image by Laure GREGOIRE Pixabay
Da Vinci Beyond the Louvre: A Global Perspective
The Louvre Museum in Paris houses the world’s largest collection of Leonardo da Vinci’s paintings. With five attributed works, the Louvre offers an unparalleled glimpse into the master’s painted oeuvre. While other institutions around the globe may have more extensive collections of da Vinci’s drawings and manuscripts, none can match the Louvre’s collection of his paintings. Let’s explore how some of da Vinci’s works in other locations compare to the Louvre’s treasures:
1. The Last Supper (Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan)
Unlike the portable paintings in the Louvre, this famous mural showcases Da Vinci’s mastery of perspective and composition on a grand scale. While the Louvre’s works demonstrate his sfumato technique, The Last Supper highlights his ability to create dramatic narratives through gesture and expression.
2. Lady with an Ermine (Czartoryski Museum, Krakow)
This portrait resembles the Mona Lisa in its three-quarter pose and enigmatic expression. However, the prominent ermine in the foreground adds a symbolic depth not present in the Louvre’s famous portrait. Comparing this work to La Belle Ferronnière in the Louvre offers insights into Da Vinci’s evolution in portraiture.
Lady with an Ermine (Portrait of Cecilia Gallerani) by Leonardo da Vinci.
3. Ginevra de’ Benci (National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.)
As Da Vinci’s only painting in the Americas, this early work contrasts the Louvre’s later masterpieces. It lacks the subtle modeling of the Mona Lisa but showcases Da Vinci’s early experimentation with portraiture. Its landscape background hints at the mastery of natural elements, like in the Louvre’s Virgin of the Rocks.
4. Salvator Mundi (Private Collection)
While not on public display and with all the reserve about its attribution, this work may represent Da Vinci’s unique approach to religious iconography. Its ethereal quality and use of sfumato echo techniques of the Saint John the Baptist of the Louvre offer a fascinating comparison of how Da Vinci depicted divine figures.
While these works offer valuable insights into different aspects of Da Vinci’s genius, the Louvre’s collection remains unparalleled in its scope and significance. Housing nearly a third of Da Vinci’s known paintings, the Louvre allows visitors to trace the evolution of his style from the early Virgin of the Rocks to his final masterpieces.
For art enthusiasts, comparing these other da Vinci works with the Louvre’s collection can deepen appreciation for Da Vinci’s versatility and innovation. However, as discussed earlier, the Louvre’s concentration of masterpieces offers a unique and comprehensive immersion into the world of this Renaissance master. The Louvre’s Da Vinci collection, unmatched in size among painted works, is a testament to the artist’s enduring legacy and France’s commitment to preserving Renaissance art.
Leonardo da Vinci – Ginevra de’ Benci. Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
Tips for Viewing Da Vinci’s Works at the Louvre
Important Note: The “Salle des Etats” (des Etats Room), where the Mona Lisa is, and the Great Gallerie, where are the four other Leonardo da Vinci artworks of the Louvre Paris, are the most crowded areas of the museum. To ensure a more enjoyable experience, consider the following tips:
- Purchase tickets in advance to avoid long queues.
- Come during the low season (October to March, excluding holidays) for smaller crowds.
- Take advantage of the museum’s evening hours on Wednesdays and Fridays, when it is open until 9 p.m. These times often see fewer visitors, especially after 6 p.m.
- Consider joining an evening tour organized by broaden-horizons.fr, which offers convenient and informative guided visits to the Louvre’s masterpieces. You can even take a Broaden-horizons.fr evening tour specifically dedicated to the Italian Renaissance Painting.
- If visiting during peak hours, head to the Da Vinci paintings first thing in the morning or later in the afternoon.
- Explore other less crowded museum sections and return to the Italian galleries during quieter periods.
- See our dedicated post about skip-the-line tickets and how to avoid the crowd in the Louvre.
- Don’t rush – take time to appreciate the details, sfumato technique, and chiaroscuro in each painting.
- Bring binoculars to see details in paintings displayed behind protective glass, like the Mona Lisa.
- Visit the Mona Lisa last, as it’s often the most crowded area.
Please also take into account that Broaden-horizons.fr not only organizes Louvre private tours but also has a large offer of private tours in Paris and can even organize custom or bespoke tours.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many of the Da Vinci’s paintings are in the Louvre?
The Louvre houses five paintings attributed to Leonardo da Vinci: the Mona Lisa, The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne, The Virgin of the Rocks, Saint John the Baptist, and La Belle Ferronnière. From October 24, 2019, to February 24, 2020, the Louvre organized the biggest Da Vinci Exhibition ever, showing an incredible 10 Da Vinci paintings (10 in the exhibition + Mona Lisa) among the 15 officially attributed to the Renaissance’s genius.
Is the Salvator Mundi in the Louvre?
No, since 2017, the Salvator Mundi (the most famous version called “Cook”) has been the property of Prince Badr bin Abdullah Al Saud. The Painting was planned to be the star of the famous Louvre Da Vinci exhibition from October 24, 2019, to February 24, 2020. However, as the Louvre specialists did not identify the painting as being 100% by Leonardo da Vinci, the situation turned conflictive, and the Salvator Mundi was finally not shown in the Louvre’s famous exhibition. The Salvator Mundi is not shown to the public; its current location is unknown.
Where are the Da Vinci paintings located in the Louvre?
The Louvre’s Da Vinci paintings are in the Grande Galerie, except for the Mona Lisa, which is displayed separately beside the Salle des Etats (Des Etats Room). Both, Grande Galerie and Salle des Etats, are in Denon Wing.
Can I take photos of the Da Vinci paintings?
Photography is allowed for most artworks in the Louvre, including Da Vinci paintings, but flash photography, tripods, and selfie sticks are prohibited. Note that the Mona Lisa is behind protective glass and can be challenging to photograph due to crowds and reflections.
How long should I plan to spend viewing the Da Vinci paintings?
Plan to spend at least 2-3 hours exploring the Louvre’s Da Vinci paintings. This will give you time to appreciate each work, including its details and techniques, and navigate the museum. If you want to explore other parts of the vast Louvre collection, consider expanding your visit to over two days.
Are there any Da Vinci drawings or notebooks in the Louvre?
The Louvre has a significant collection of Leonardo da Vinci’s drawings and manuscripts. Due to their fragility, these are not usually displayed, but special exhibitions sometimes showcase these remarkable works. When planning your visit, check the Louvre’s current exhibitions.
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Discover the Renaissance Masters at the Louvre
Immerse yourself in the world of Renaissance art with our expert-guided tour of the Louvre’s Italian masterpieces. Our Italian Renaissance tour offers in-depth insights into Leonardo da Vinci’s works alongside those of his contemporaries, offering a comprehensive view of this pivotal period in art history.
Explore the Italian Renaissance at the Louvre with our expert guide and experience the genius of da Vinci and his peers firsthand! The Italian gallery is one of the most crowded of the Louvre, so we strongly advise booking your Italian Renaissance Louvre tour as a Louvre Evening Tour to minimize this inconvenience.
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Unless otherwise noted, images are from The Yorck Project (2002). GFDL