The Louvre

We arrived thirty minutes before opening, found the "less frequently" used entrance to the Louvre through the underground Carousel shopping center, and when the gates opened and we made it through security, we raced forward to beat the crowds to see this little lady.

She did not disappoint.  We all agree, she is magical.

Note Grace is mezmerized.

We were tickled by how interested Anthon was in the art.  I'd be strolling him along and he would put his feet down on the floor and say, "Go back to that one," or "I'm not done looking at this one," and then he'd want to discuss what he was seeing.

He got so excited about a painting that he jumped out of his stroller, ran to find George in an adjacent Gallery and brought him back to see the painting he loved.  

The painting Anthon was taken with.

Anthon and I loved the people made of vegetables & fruit. 

Matt told the children a few stories of several art pieces and the children loved hearing the details.

The children had listened to a true story of The Portrait of the Merchant, the painting below.  Apparently, a rich merchant hired Raffel to paint a portrait of him to show all of his friends how important and rich he was to afford such a handsome painting.  They agreed upon a prict of $10,000.  When when Raffel completed the portrait the merchant complained and said he would only pay $1,000 for the portrait.  Raffel was quick.  He told the merchant to call in Michel Angelo, and if Michel Angelo said the painting was only worth $1,000, then the merchant only had to pay $1,000.  Well, the merchant was pleased because he know that Michel Angelo did not like Raffel.  They were fierce competitors.  So the merchant readily agreed.  When Michel Angelo saw the portrait he turned to the merchant and said, "You are right sir, this portrait is not worth $10,000.  It is worth $30,000."  Then Michel Angelo turned and said, "Good day," to Raffel and left to get back to his own art work.

The Portrait of the Merchant

 Throughout the Galleries there would be artists working on reproducitons of various works.  Here are a few.  Grace was particularly interested in their work.  Both girls have now asked me for a canvas when we get back home.

The Venus de Milo

Winged Victory

A little time out from art apprecitation for some dance and wrestling, I mean hugging and loving!

Next came the search for a Story of the World favorite:  Hammurabi's Code.

Grace was giddy and jumping up and down for joy when we found it.

Hammurabi was a good king in ancient Mesopotamia.  Upon this colum are engraved all of the fair and just laws he used to govern his people.  He had these laws posted on similar colums all over his empire so people would know and live the law.  The punishments were fair and just and his people loved him for this.

Grace's favorite animal.

One of Matt's favorites because of the sailing ships.

We lasted three hours so feet and backs were pretty sore.

Oh, one last portrait.  The ugly Daphine, who
Joan of Arc helped to crown as King Charles the VII.

A little ride up the unusual Louvre elevator.

Anthon loves his Papa!

We walked over to the Tuilery Gardens just outside of the Louvre for a lovely picnic lunch and we lingered longer, just like the Parisians.

And again enjoyed the local feathered friends.

Then headed to Rue Rivoli to do a little souvenir shopping....

It was as one would expect:  chaotic and a little tacky.

And Matt could not resist:  Made in CHINA.
Even the classy Parisians know where to get cheap labor.

The Green Beret Girls:  Erik purchased each of the girls a 1 euro
green beret, if they would wear it all day long....