Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Thursday Travels: We rode the Metro M6 train to the Arc de Triomphe and then walked the Champs Elysees to the Louvre Museum. The arch celebrates the heroes of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. Under it lays the remains of the Unknown Soldier. Adolf Hitler stood here in vain glory. The Champs Elysees was lined with French flags in preparation for Sunday's Bastille Day celebrations. Seating for the parade lines the street, including the presidential box which is located precisely in front of a 3300 year old obelisk taken from the Luxor Temple. On the Elysees French politics and ancient Egyptian power will merge for a moment. The Louvre, once the residence of French kings, was transformed into a museum by Emperor Napoleon during the revolution. Leonardo's 'Mona Lisa' - (such a small portrait; is she smirking?) - is housed here. I watched as eager crowds twenty deep jostled for a view, holding high their hands to capture this famous woman on camera. Hanging directly opposite Leonardo's masterpiece is the Louvre's largest painting, the late Renaissance painter Paulo Veronese's 1563 'The Wedding at Cana'. Far fewer people stood casually viewing this enormous work. It's easily explained. Leonardo's reputation precedes him but who has heard of Paulo? Yet might there be a parable in these paintings? Might not this scene in the Louvre paint a picture of contemporary life: of a world craving a look at the masterpiece, while Jesus, the Master, the Lord of life, who stands behind all the beauty we admire, is largely ignored? Turning water into wine, transforming shame into wedding joy, is the signature work of the supreme Artist who created and controls His world. I've now seen Lisa in the Louvre. I won't give her a second look. The Lord must command our gaze.'Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.' (Psalm 34:5)
- comments
Pierre Chassatte Texte très bien écrit et expliqué, très agréable à lire!!! (Very well written and explained text, very enjoyable to read!!!)
Josiah Fennell Hey dad stop talking about Hitler I hate him! But the rest of your blog is spectacular, stupendous, brilliant and last but never least BIBLICAL.
Diane Fennell Amazing you are there in a Paris summer!.... and we would love to be there too. We can imagine being there in our mind's eye though!
josiah fennell by the way how is it in Paris dad