Due to the extremely high temperatures starting Sunday, 21 June, we encourage you to adjust the pace of your visit and protect yourself from the heat. Take your time, wear light clothing, and stay hydrated! All the information you need can be found at https://www.info.gouv.fr/risques/canicule-et-vagues-de-chaleur
Please note that reservations are required to enter the museum. This allows us to provide you with a better visitor experience. Some galleries may be closed during the heat wave to protect the artworks.
Thank you for your understanding.
The making of reputations
The Louvre’s Masterpieces
The Salon Carré
In the 18th century, the Salon Carré (‘Square Room’) was used as an exhibition space for works by members of the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture. These annual displays, or ‘Salons’, forerunners of our contemporary art exhibitions, were very popular with the public.
The role, significance and impact of the Salons changed during their century of existence, but they were essentially places where living artists could exhibit, where the general public could view contemporary art and where art criticism originated. Artists’ reputations were made or broken at the Salons, where critics enjoyed contrasting and comparing their works.
A platform for masterpieces
The Salon was moved out of the Louvre in 1848 to make more room for the museum, and it was decided to reserve the Salon Carré for outstanding paintings, such as the Mona Lisa, which was presented here for a while. In accordance with the fashion of the day, the works were placed frame to frame in tightly packed displays that covered the high walls. .