Here’s your options for viewing the original Mona Lisa with your own two eyes.
1. Fly to Paris. Take a taxi or Uber into the city, stay at a hotel within walking distance of the 1st Arrondissement, which is where the Louvre is located, buy a ticket to the museum, ask directions to the correct area of the museum and enjoy.
Total cost: $4,000 minimum.
2. Open your computer.
Total cost: Free
And don’t worry, this is not a a Google image or a reproduction. This is the actual canvas Leonardo da Vinci worked on back in the early 1500’s…
By the way, you really only have one option. The famous museum is closed until further notice, which is part of the reason the decision makers there have put the entire collection of the museum online.
That’s right, over 480,000 artworks are not available for you to peruse on your phone, tablet or desktop as you sip an espresso or glass of champagne. The collection of artwork covers the entire gamut from Egyptian antiquities to Renaissance sculptures.
And it’s all free.
The museum’s president and director Jean-Luc Martinez made the announcement that art lovers around the world were excited about.
“Today, the Louvre is dusting off its treasures, even the least-known. For the first time, anyone can access the entire collection of works from a computer or smartphone for free, whether they are on display in the museum, on loan, even long-term, or in storage.”
Besides the iconic Mona Lisa, the museum’s other priceless works of art like Venus de Milo” and “Winged Victory” are there to view.
One cool feature of the sight is viewers can mimic a visit to the museum, using an interactive map to explore the Louvre room by room. Virtually of course.
While the museum is closed during the pandemic, they are taking advantage of the down time to add new security systems and clean sculptures that have been gathering dust for decades.
If you are interested in taking the trip, here’s all you need. https://collections.louvre.fr/en/
Add comment