Aside from being one of the most frequently visited art museums in history, you may ask yourself, “What was the Louvre before it was an art museum?” The answer to that question is a series of events that, over time, established the building as it stands today. Like many historical establishments, political influence and regimes determined the development of a state’s assets.
While the meaning of the Louvre in terms of its origin story is debated, the Grand Larousse encyclopédique claims that the name was taken from a word meaning “wolf hunting den”.
The building was once a fortress and traces of this can still be found in the basement of the building. The function of the fortress was eventually assigned as the main area for residence for the French monarchists.
Perhaps one of its defining characteristics is being slow to act on its plans. In 1692, the Louvre was also used to store the King’s prized sculpture collection consisting of Roman and Greek artworks.
The collection at the Louvre is divided into eight departments consisting of archaeological discoveries, art objects, paintings, sculptures, and drawings.
Peruggia was an Italian repairman who succeeded in stealing the masterpiece in 1911. His success eventually ran out after two years and the treasured masterpiece was returned.