Enfant qui joue avec un chien (Child playing with a dog) (portrait of Louise-Gabrielle Greuze) 1767 Private Collection The painting above shows the younger of the painter's two daughters; it was one of his most famous paintings in its day. The girl, in her night attire, and the dog are portrayed with feeling. Jean-Baptiste Greuze (1725-1805) is often thought of as just a painter of sentimental pictures of children. This exhibition demonstrates, however, that he had several strings to his bow. Not the least of them was being an excellent portrait painter: Portrait du libraire (portrait of bookseller) François Babuty 1761 Private Collection Françoi...
Royal lefem statue from Cameroon 19th C Wood The Louvre has recently reopened the Gallery of Five Continents. Restructured by architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte, the gallery was first opened with President Chirac's approval in 2000. It now includes European artifacts, alongside those of the other four continents. The aim is to give a fresh perspective on what was once called 'primitive art' and to create a dialogue between the 5 continents. The head of the Louvre, Laurence des Cars, and the head of Musée Quai Branly, Emmanuel Kasarhérou, have spent four years planning it. The statue above is a symbol of the ruler's power, brought out at funerals or ceremonies of succession. A further emblem of power is the imposing Moai head from Rapa Nui (Easter Island, Chile), one of the ancestral figures which were thought to protect the island's inhabitants: Moai sculpture from North of Rapa Nui (Easter Island, Chile) 11th to 15th C Volcanic rock The display is laid out by the...