Name ____________________________________________ Core __________________ Date ________________________
The Louvre Museum
Philip II, it was significantly expanded in the 14th
century during the reign of King Charles V. Its
current appearance goes back to the late 15th
century, when the original fortress was demolished
and the wing along the Seine River was built. The
palace was extended during the 16th century by
architect Pierre Lescot, who expanded the palace
into a complex with two courtyards. A decade later,
Catharina de Medici added the Tuileries Palace to
the west of the Louvre. Construction on the Louvre
was halted for some time when King Louis XIV
The Louvre, originally a royal palace but
decided to move to the Versailles Palace.
now the world's most famous museum, is a must-
In the 19th century, during the Second
visit for anyone with a slight interest in art. Some of
Empire, the Louvre was expanded again with the
the museum's most famous works of art are the
addition of the Richelieu Wing. The wings were
Mona Lisa and the Venus of Milo. The collection of
extended even further westward during the Third
the Louvre Museum was first established in the 16th
Empire. The Louvre now had four symmetric wings
century as the private collection of King Francis I.
surrounding a large courtyard. This would not last
One of the works of art he purchased is the now
long, as the Communards burned the Tuileries
famous Mona Lisa painting. The collection grew
Palace to the ground in 1871, opening up the west
steadily thanks to donations and purchases by the
side of the palace.
kings. In 1793, during the French Revolution, the
The most recent addition to the Louvre was
Louvre became a national art museum and the
the construction of the Louvre Pyramid, which
private royal collection opened to the public.
functions as the museum's main entrance. The
The museum has a collection of over one
pyramid was built in 1989 by the renowned
million works of art, of which about 35, 000 are on
American architect I.M. Pei. The glass pyramid
display, spread out over three wings of the former
allows the sunlight to come in on the underground
palace. The museum has a diverse collection
floor.
ranging from the Antiquity up to the mid 19th
The modern addition originally received
century. After entering the museum through the
mixed reviews, as it contrasts sharply with the
Louvre Pyramid or via the Carrousel du Louvre,
classical design of the surrounding buildings, but
you have access to three large wings: Sully,
today it is generally accepted as a clever solution
Richelieu and Denon.
which has given the museum a spacious central
The Louvre was created in several phases.
Originally built as a 12th century fortress by King
entrance.
Name __________________________________________ Core ________________ Date _________________________
Multiple Choice: Circle the letter of the choice the best completes the statement. (2 points each)
1) Which is the closest synonym for the word
a) 35,000
famous?
b) 40,000
a) Imprecise
c) 45,000
b) Indefinite
d) 50,000
c) Renowned
4) The most recent addition to the Louvre was the
d) Unspecified
construction of the Louvre Pyramid, which
2) The collection of the Louvre Museum was first
functions as the museum's…
established in the 16th century as the private
a) Main Entrance
collection of whom?
b) Rear Entrance
a) Venus of Milo
c) Side Entrance
b) Pierre Lescot
d) Underground Entrance
c) King Francis I
d) King Louis XIV
3) The museum has a collection of over one
5) Who was I.M. Pei?
a) An American architect
b) A French architect
million works of art, of which how many are on
c) A German architect
display?
d) A Spanish architect
Directions: In the space below write a summary of today's article. (5 points)
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