The Louvre has put its entire art collection, which includes more than 480,000 works of art, available online for anyone to look through at any time for free.
Two new digital tools have just gone live to bring the richness of the Louvre collections to the world’s fingertips: a platform that for the first time ever brings together all of the museum’s artworks in one place; and a new and improved website, that is more user-friendly, attractive and immersive.
Today, the Louvre is dusting off its treasures, even the least-known
Jean-Luc Martinez, President-Director of the Louvre
1. The collections database
Designed for both researchers and curious art lovers, the collections.louvre.fr database already contains more than 482,000 entries, including works from the Louvre and the Musée National Eugène-Delacroix, sculptures from the Tuileries and Carrousel gardens, and ‘MNR’ works (Musées Nationaux Récupération, or National Museums Recovery) recovered after WWII and entrusted to the Louvre until they can be returned to their legitimate owners.
For the first time ever, the entire Louvre collection is available online, whether works are on display in the museum, on long-term loan in other French institutions, or in storage. The site offers several ways to delve into the collections: simple or advanced searches, entries by curatorial department, and themed albums. An interactive map helps visitors prepare or extend their visit and allows them to explore the museum room by room. Updated regularly by museum experts, the database will continue to grow and reflect advances in research.
Everyone 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. The Louvre’s stunning cultural heritage is all now just a click away
Jean-Luc Martinez
2. The new website
Designed to reach the widest possible audience, the Louvre’s new website is divided into three main sections: ‘Visit’, ‘Explore’, and ‘What’s on’. Focusing on works in the collections and the sumptuous settings they are displayed in, the site invites visitors to appreciate the former palace as they move from room to room. Available in French, English, Spanish and Chinese, images and video are given place of pride.
The site can be visited on tablets and computers, but is intended primarily for use on smartphones, given the widespread use of mobile devices today. The website is designed to stay in sync with the Louvre as the museum develops more digital content.
The museum remains closed to visitors at this time due to Paris’s lockdown and is currently undergoing renovation like adding new security systems, cleaning sculptures, and reorganizing entrances.
