Description

An armless marble statue ; a woman, bare-chested, holding a flag ; and another, with an enigmatic smile. Sound familiar ? Why is it famous ?

Among the Louvre's archaeological treasures, the Great Sphinx and The Seated Scribe never cease to fascinate visitors. This book reveals why. Masterpieces such as La Tour's The Cheat with the Ace of Diamonds, Vermeer's The Lacemaker, and Fragonard's The Lock sank into oblivion only to reemerge triumphant decades later. Nothing is ever set in stone, not even Mona Lisa's smile. After mysteriously vanishing for two years in the early twentieth century, Mona Lisa switched from being a Renaissance masterpiece to a superstar of painting.

Including fun facts and a quiz, this book retraces the incredible journey of the Louvre's icons.