Claiming the Louvre: Kingship, Revolution, and Empire in Early Modern France

Impacted by changes to the surrounding environment and its affect on the citizens of Paris, the Louvre stands at the center of the city as a transformative architectural monument that has influenced artwork interpretation since its erection. The Louvre and the art displayed within it play a crucial role in the development of national identity during the early modern period. The Louvre and its art collection displays and reflects the political landscape of France at different points of ownership during the latter half of the eighteenth into the beginning of the nineteenth century. With King Louis XVI’s lack of leadership, I argue that the Louvre and its art demonstrate the tense separation between the monarch and his subjects at the start of the French Revolution. Once the Louvre is claimed as a national museum for the people of France, I examine how the New Republic’s agenda is displayed through its architectural restorations and art exhibitions. Finally, I showcase the imperialistic power of Napoléon Bonaparte’s effect on the Louvre and displayed art. Whether king, revolutionaries, or emperor, the adaptability of the Louvre within the urban landscape of Paris mirrors its occupants and recontextualizes displayed artworks