Famous Paintings in The Louvre: 10 Masterpieces You Can’t Miss (Beyond the Mona Lisa)

The Louvre Museum isn’t just home to the woman with the world’s most famous smile. Sure, millions flock to catch a glimpse of the Mona Lisa each year, but they all end up staying for the more than 380,000 works that make up the world’s largest art collection. 

Join us as we explore 10 extraordinary works — not just the Mona Lisa — that showcase why the Louvre remains the most visited art museum in the world.

The Louvre: A brief overview

Before it became the world’s premier art museum, the Louvre served as a fortress and royal residence for over 700 years. Built in the 12th century, it transformed from a medieval fortress to a Renaissance palace before finally opening as a museum in 1793 during the French Revolution. 

Today, its iconic glass pyramid entrance, designed by I.M. Pei in 1989, serves as a perfect symbol of how the museum bridges classical and contemporary worlds.

Why visit the Louvre?

The Louvre offers an unparalleled journey through human creativity and expression. Here, every corridor tells a story, every gallery holds surprises, and every visit reveals new details in familiar works. 

While virtual tours and art books can introduce us to these masterpieces, standing before them in person creates an irreplaceable connection to history’s greatest artists and their visions.

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The most famous paintings in the Louvre

Let’s explore ten masterpieces that showcase the breadth and depth of the Louvre’s collection. Each work represents not just artistic achievement but pivotal moments in human history and culture.

1. The Coronation of Napoleon by Jacques-Louis David

This massive canvas (20 feet by 32 feet) captures the moment Napoleon crowned himself Emperor in 1804. David’s masterful composition balances historical accuracy with political propaganda, showing Napoleon crowning his wife Josephine while Pope Pius VII watches. 

The painting’s attention to detail extends to the intricate embroidery on Napoleon’s robe and the individual faces of over 100 spectators – many of whom posed for David personally.

2. Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix

Perhaps the most famous painting of the French Revolution, this work shows Liberty personified as a woman raising the tricolor flag while leading citizens over the barricades. 

Delacroix combined allegory with gritty realism, depicting both the heroic ideal of revolution and its bloody reality. The painting became a powerful symbol of democracy and has inspired countless political movements worldwide.

3. The Wedding at Cana by Paolo Veronese

The largest painting in the Louvre (70 feet wide), this masterpiece transforms the biblical story of Jesus turning water into wine into a sumptuous 16th-century Venetian feast. 

Veronese included over 130 figures, including portraits of contemporary artists and rulers, creating a magnificent panorama of Renaissance society. Look carefully, and you’ll spot musicians playing contemporary instruments and guests wearing the latest Venetian fashion.

4. The Death of Sardanapalus by Eugène Delacroix

This dramatic scene depicts the legendary Assyrian king Sardanapalus watching as his possessions — including his concubines — are destroyed before his suicide. 

Delacroix’s use of vibrant colors and swirling composition creates a sense of violent chaos while the king reclines almost casually amidst the destruction. The painting shocked audiences with its brutality when first exhibited in 1828.

5. The Oath of the Horatii by Jacques-Louis David

A masterpiece of Neoclassical painting, this work shows three Roman brothers swearing allegiance to Rome before combat. The stark composition, with its clear geometric lines and dramatic lighting, revolutionized history painting. 

David used the ancient Roman story to comment on contemporary politics, creating an enduring symbol of patriotic sacrifice and civic duty.

6. The Lacemaker by Johannes Vermeer

One of Vermeer’s smallest paintings, this intimate portrait showcases his mastery of light and detail. The young woman’s intense concentration as she works her bobbin lace creates a sense of frozen time, while the painting’s technical excellence appears in details like the threads spilling from her cushion and the light catching her eyelashes.

7. The Venus de Milo

While technically a sculpture, no list of Louvre masterpieces would be complete without this iconic work. Discovered in 1820 on the Greek island of Milos, this marble statue of Aphrodite exemplifies Classical beauty ideals. Despite — or perhaps because of — its missing arms, it has become one of art history’s most recognized works.

8. The Winged Victory of Samothrace

Another essential sculpture, this Hellenistic masterpiece, captures a moment of triumph as Victory alights on a ship’s prow. The windswept drapery and dynamic pose create an impression of movement that defies the marble’s weight. Its placement atop the Daru staircase makes for one of the museum’s most dramatic views.

9. The Raft of the Medusa by Théodore Géricault

This monumental canvas depicts the tragic aftermath of the French naval frigate Méduse’s wreck in 1816, where only 15 of 147 people survived on a makeshift raft. Géricault’s masterful composition rises dramatically from despair to hope, with survivors spotting a rescue ship on the horizon. 

The painting’s powerful depiction of human suffering and resilience, combined with its political critique of government incompetence, made it a defining work of French Romanticism.

10. The Virgin of the Rocks by Leonardo da Vinci

Often overlooked in favor of its more famous neighbor, this masterpiece shows Leonardo’s genius for composition and his mastery of light and shadow. The mysterious cave setting and the tender interaction between the figures create an atmosphere of both intimacy and otherworldliness.

11. The Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci

You name it, we know it — almost everyone knows the Mona Lisa. But La Gioconda deserves her fame. 

Beyond the famous smile, notice Leonardo’s revolutionary atmospheric perspective in the background landscape and his sfumato technique that softens outlines. Just try to visit during off-peak hours to avoid the largest crowds.

Tips for visiting the Louvre

The Louvre is one of the top landmarks in Paris, so you can expect a lot of people to be there. And there’s a lot to see too — museum fatigue is a real thing.

To make your visit better, plan ahead with these practical tips.

• Purchase tickets online in advance to avoid long queues.
• Enter through the Carrousel du Louvre entrance to avoid the pyramid line.
• Join a guided tour to maximize your time and make sure you don’t just breeze by the art.
• If you’re going on your own, download the museum’s app for navigation and audio guides.
• Start with the artworks you most want to see so you don’t end up missing your favorites.

Plan your visit to the world’s greatest art collection

The Louvre’s masterpieces offer windows into different eras, cultures, and human experiences. 

While the Mona Lisa may draw crowds, these other works deserve equal attention for their beauty, historical significance, and ability to move viewers centuries after their creation. Take time to explore beyond the obvious, and you’ll discover why the Louvre remains an inexhaustible source of artistic wonder.

Whether you’re an art enthusiast or a curious traveler, the Louvre rewards those who venture beyond its most famous residents. Consider joining a guided Louvre tour to enrich your understanding of these masterpieces and the stories behind them. 

Many Paris tours include special access to the museum, allowing you to make the most of your time with these timeless works in the galleries of this magnificent museum.