I took a wander over to the Louvre today and decided to start with the Assyrian collection. I saw a lot of similar works at the British Museum, but they didn't allow photography (or was that just my husband?). I love the cunieform writing:
I spent a lot of time in the Cour Khorsabad, a re-creation of the temple erected by Assyrian King Sargon II in the 8th century BC. The temple's five massive winged bulls with human heads are known as lamassu, benign demigods. I got all that from my guidebook - the documentation at the museum was lacking.
This warrior looks fearsome:
Love the texture of the hair and beard:
And for a bit of color, a couple of lions:
It's about a 45 minute walk to the museum from our apartment, so I wore myself out today with this brief jaunt. Sweetie and I bought a year-long family Louvre pass so I have to start getting my money's worth. I figure this one visit cost me $101. Rather that's how much it will have cost if we never go again.And that's not counting the $5.83 I spent on the small Mocha Frapuccino, but I just had to have it. A Starbucks at the Louvre - unbelievable. I was happier before I got out the calculator and figured out just what it cost. Aiyee.
So anyway, those are some of my pics for the day. I definitely have a thing for fantastical creatures especially when carved from stone or wood. Much more of a draw for me than getting over to see old dark paintings... And there weren't nearly as many people as I expected. Everyone else was probably over at the Mona Lisa.
21 comments:
FABULOUS!! Thanks for sharing your day with us. How lucky you are to have all this wondrous-ness nearby. And a 45 minute walk--good cardio. And it's all in Paris--what could be better?
Ooh la la! (How's that for cliche?)
That last lion is definitely quilting inspiration!
Okay, I have a sort of odd question for you. How do you get multiple photos on one entry? I've only ever been able to get 5 pictures on one post. If I want more, I usually have to have 2 posts. Thanks for your help.
Hugs,
Melinda
(friend of Siobhan)
Oh, Tonya, wonderful, wonderful photos. Please, please show us as many photos from in the Louvre as you can, it is such a treat to see these gorgeous shots. You're a photographer after my own heart, into the delectable details and textures.
Oh the textures in that stone is amazing. I wish I could use those ideas in quilting! Well I could use them, but they wouldn't look the same or the way I wanted them too! I'm getting such culture through you!
I think (re the photography issue at the British Museum) that it was just your DH. I have lots of photos from there and can't ever remember being told you couldn't photograph (maybe some of the temporary exhibits, but not the regular stuff) :)
You will use your annual pass - and you've got the advantage of being able to go just when the fancy takes you especially when the crowds have gone home
What fun, Tonya! And of course, the Louvre is so huge, you couldn't possibly take it all in during just a visit or two, so I'm sure you'll make good use of your annual pass. Great pics. I have to echo what another commenter said: how do you get blogger to put up more than 5 photos at a time?
I sympathize on the coffee sticker shock...especially with the dismal performance of the U.S. dollar these days...
Another part of the Louvre with not so many visitors is the Roman mosaics room - and those mosaics are fabulous, do go see them, it will cost you only $51 this time....
Tonya, thank you sooo much for sharing. How incredible the work is. What lovely details that could be transferred to quilting designs. Fantastic texture. Thanks for the historical info. also.
Thanks for the beautiful pictures. If I can't be there I can at least visit through your eyes!!
yep, you found some of my favorites there...nice, nice photos! I really need to dig mine out and compare-though they are pre-ditigal camera days. I thought the Mona Lisa highly overrated...so much of the Louvre to explore-have fun!
So who knew Assyrian warriors wore wrist watches? ;- )
LOVE the photos! Keep 'em coming! (The best part is I can keep coming back to your blog to see them over and over again!)
Fantastic photos - so very very you. So you have an annual pass? Wait for me I'm on my way. Does it cover teh Musee d'Orsay too?
Wonderful! How luck you are to have the Louvre close by. Just don't go on Tuesdays - it's closed!
I'm also thinking the French would never repatriate those 'treasures' to Egypt!
The texture on all those stone items just begs a person to reach out the touch!!! It would FEEL so wonderful. Thanks for those gorgeous photos.
Oh, to live in a big capital with a great art museum. How wonderful it must be.
wow , these are just fabulous, thanks so much. love the details. i always relate carving to quilting technique. and thanks for all the comments along my quilting journey!
I have been trying to no avail to find the means whereby I could get an annual pass to the Lourve Museum as a gift for my daughter. I happened to see your blog and you mentioned that you had an annual pass. Would it be possible for you or someone who may read this to tell me what I need to do to acquire one for her birthday? I do not speak any French. And that is my biggest problem. I would be most appreciative for any help you can give me. Thank you so much!
DiAnna
I long for the day when the artistic relic looted from the ruined Versailles are on permanent exhibit in Baghdad. I l love to see the looks on the "art-loving"/art thieving French faces. I would be so happy to correct them, when they complain about the looted heritage of their country being in Baghdad, by telling them the standard canard: "Well, we are protecting them here in Baghdad. Back in France, they would ve been destroyed..." presumably, by those who created the stolen art.
I long for the day when the artistic relics looted from the ruined Versailles are on permanent exhibit in Baghdad. I l love to see the looks on the "art-loving"/art thieving French faces. I would be so happy to correct them, when they complain about the looted heritage of their country being in Baghdad, by telling them the standard canard: "Well, we are protecting them here in Baghdad. Back in France, they would ve been destroyed..." presumably, by those who created the stolen art.
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