The world's most famous museum, home to the Mona Lisa, is now shut. Take a look at its iconic masterpieces
Mona Lisa
Aphrodite, known as the Venus de Milo
The Winged Victory of Samothrace
The Pyramid
Great Sphinx of Tanis
Portrait of a Lady
For many, a trip to Paris isn't complete without stepping under the iconic glass pyramid of the Louvre Museum and witnessing masterpieces like the Mona Lisa or the Venus de Milo . But on Monday, instead of gazing at legendary artworks, thousands of confused tourists stood in long lines outside, tickets in hand, as the Louvre—the world's most-visited museum—unexpectedly shut its doors. The cause? A sudden and unannounced strike by museum staff, who say they're buckling under the pressure of overwhelming crowds, insufficient staffing, and poor working conditions, according to an Associated Press report.The strike erupted during an internal meeting, and by afternoon, gallery attendants, security, and ticketing agents had all walked off the job. The iconic glass pyramid entrance became a symbol not of awe, but of frustration, as tourists were left staring in disbelief.While the shutdown made global headlines, it's a moment that reminds us why the Louvre remains such a draw for millions each year. Housing more than 35,000 works of art, the Louvre is not just a museum—it's a living chronicle of human creativity and history.Among its crown jewels is Leonardo da Vinci 's Mona Lisa, famously enigmatic and technically masterful. From her legendary smile to the delicate sfumato technique that gives the painting its misty atmosphere, the Mona Lisa has fascinated visitors for centuries.Then there's the Venus de Milo, discovered on the Greek island of Milos and gifted to the Louvre in 1821. With her missing arms and graceful posture, she became an instant icon of classical beauty and has remained a centrepiece ever since.Standing tall at the top of the Daru staircase is The Winged Victory of Samothrace , a breathtaking sculpture that once overlooked an ancient Greek sanctuary. Captured in motion with billowing drapery and powerful wings, the statue represents Goddess Nike, the messenger of victory.The Louvre itself is a work of art. The famed Pyramid, designed by I.M. Pei, once controversial, now stands as one of Paris's most photographed landmarks. What many don't realise is that the museum has not one but five pyramids, including two smaller glass pyramids and an inverted pyramid that illuminates the underground entrance near the Carrousel shopping centre, as per the Louvre website.Delving even deeper into history, visitors encounter the Great Sphinx of Tanis, an ancient Egyptian sculpture symbolising divine power and protection. With the body of a lion and the face of a pharaoh, it was designed to guard sacred spaces—a fitting metaphor for the museum itself.Also among the museum's priceless treasures is Leonardo's Portrait of a Lady, known as La Belle Ferronnière, a striking example of Renaissance portraiture that showcases Leonardo's unmatched ability to capture presence and personality.As per reports in the Associated Press, the museum might open on Wednesday.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
4 hours ago
- Indian Express
10 books that breathe new life into Greek mythology
Written By Prachi Mishra Greek mythology and its stories of love, power, betrayal, and tragedy have fascinated many generations. But let's also take a look at some of the writers and their works who are reframing these corpus and telling it from the perspective of characters that were once silenced or sidelined. In these retellings, the familiar myths take on unexpected turns. Circe is no longer a mere witch from The Odyssey instead she is a woman finding her voice and Briseis, the enslaved Trojan queen, becomes the heart of The Iliad in The Silence of the Girls or Medusa is no longer a monster rather she is a girl punished for surviving violence. Here are ten books that reimagine ancient myths with fresh emotion and new profound meaning. 'I had been old and stern and strong. I had been young and silly and weak. And now? Now I was something else.' While in Homer's Odyssey, Circe is a witch who transformed men into swine, Madeline Miller gives her so much more: goddess, exile, lover, mother. Told in the voice of Circe, the novel narrates the lonely childhood she spent amidst cruel gods, her banishment to a remote island, and the centuries spent in learning herbs, magic, and herself. It's a quiet yet powerful journey of a woman making her own decisions and choosing her own destiny. Moreover, Miller uses poetic and reflective writing style which does not try to hide Circe's vulnerabilities even though she becomes stronger. 'Now that I'm dead, I know everything.' We have all heard about the story of Penelope, the faithful wife of Odysseus who waited for twenty years for her husband to return. But, in Atwood's The Penelopiad, she gets the chance to tell her side of the story in a very witty and sharp manner. Atwood also gives voice to the twelve handmaids who were hanged at Odysseus' command. And, thus a clearly distinct result comes in front. Told with wit and lyricism, the book questions what justice really means in a world built by men, and whether myth can ever do justice to women. 'The world is made of choices. Some we make. Some are made for us.' Alcestis is the woman who gives her life to save the life of her husband. In Katherine Beutner's reworking, we follow her not only to the world of the dead but on a journey of self-discovery, yearning, and rebellion. Down in the underworld, Alcestis encounters Persephone and starts to question all she had ever thought about love, duty, and sacrifice. The novel is rich in the sense that it's meditative, quietly yet fiercely questions things and also explores queer identity. It is less about lofty mythic grandeur and more about the soft insurgence of claiming one's very own existence. 'They were gods. But they weren't necessarily good at it.' What happens to Greek gods when they lose their divine power? They are crammed into a dilapidated booth-flat in London and try to cope with the modern world in Marie Phillips' side-splitting novel. Apollo fancies himself a TV psychic, badly at that, Artemis walks other people's dogs, and Aphrodite is doing some heavy stirring up of trouble. It all threatens to become a mess of divine drama when a mortal couple gets caught up in it all. This book goes all witty and irreverent, not caring for itself much and that is its charm. It reminds us that myths, just like humans, can be merely ridiculous and lovable at one go. 'What will they make of us, those who come after?' Pat Barker gives The Iliad a new interpretation through the eyes of Briseis, a Trojan queen turned war-captive in the hands of Achilles. Apart from being stripped of her name, power, and voice, she only remains as a silent witness to the so-called glory of war. Barker's novel is raw and haunting, filled with the quiet suffering of women erased from heroic tales. The novel just narrates the truth, and provides no easy redemption or proper closure. Briseis, in her quiet manner, describes her story through the noise of battle with heart-wrenching honesty. 'They turned me into a monster. And I became one.' We all are well-versed with the story of Medusa, a monster with snakes for hair, but Jessie Burton provides a gentler, sadder version of her. In this beautifully illustrated novel, Medusa is a teenage girl cursed for a crime she didn't commit, sent into exile on a lonely island whose only company consisted of the snakes that sprouted from her scalp. And, when a boy named Perseus arrives, her world is transformed again. This version doesn't cast her as evil, instead, it reveals the girl behind the myth-full of pain, wonder, and rage. 'This is not Theseus' story. It is mine.' Ariadne, who is simply known for helping Theseus defeat the Minotaur, only to be later abandoned on an island. But Jennifer Saint gives her character a richer and more complex voice. Ariadne is not just a helping hand or lover, but she is also given the role of a sister, a mother, a woman living in a world shaped by gods and betrayals. Saint has written the novel by infusing prose with the characteristics of poetry and explored the themes of sacrifice, sorrow, and the emotional burden and pain of unrequited love. The story is also about two sisters, Ariadne and Phaedra, who are attempting to hold on to whatever agency they have in stories that were never theirs to begin with. 'This was never the story of one woman, or two. It was the story of them all.' What if the Trojan War was not documented in the words of the warriors but instead from those left behind by the war? A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes sets in the voices of countless females from myth-rooting queens, slaves, sisters, goddesses, and survivors. From Penelope writing to Odysseus, to Cassandra cursed with visions, every chapter casts another dimension over well-known tales. The tone is lyrical, somewhat wise, and all too often angry. It's a reminder that history is written by victors but, if told well, stories can belong to anybody. 'The Greeks gave us logic. The myths gave us meaning.' The origin stories of Greek mythology, from the birth of Chaos to the ascent of Zeus, are retold with warmth and humour by British author and comedian Stephen Fry in his book Mythos. It's the type of book that turns myths into stories for the dinner table. It's detailed, funny, and surprisingly emotional as well. Anyone interested in the Greek gods and their complex relationships should start with this book because of Fry's conversational, contemporary, and engrossing narration style. 'The old stories refused to die, and so they became something else.' In the modern world, every seven years the gods are hunted by descendants of ancient bloodlines, and if killed, the killers inherit their powers. Lore, the last descendant of Perseus, does not want to be involved in any bloodshed. But, when wounded Athena and childhood friend Castor seek her help, Lore is reluctantly dragged back into the war she tried to leave behind. Bracken's Lore is a blend of mythology and urban fantasy, delivering a very gritty attitude toward ancient power struggles. The action is grueling fun, but beneath it all lies a very human question: can we choose who we become?
Hindustan Times
21 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
BTS gears up for 2026 comeback as Suga completes military service
BTS rapper and songwriter Suga has officially completed his mandatory military service, marking the discharge of all seven members of the K-pop band from South Korea's conscription system, according to an Associated Press report. BTS' label, Big Hit Entertainment (which is now part of Hybe), confirmed that Suga completed his alternative service duties on Wednesday after using his pending leave days. His official discharge date was set for June 21, Saturday. The agency has not organised any public event for the occasion, citing concerns about overcrowding, the report added. File photo of BTS star Suga(AP) Suga, whose real name is Min Yoongi, served as a social service agent due to his past shoulder surgery, the Associated Press reported earlier. Also known as August D, he was the last of the group to complete his national duty. Unlike his bandmates, who served in the army, his alternative service involved civilian work. Suga's discharge from mandatory service has now opened the door for BTS to reunite as a group with plans for a full comeback in 2026. Also read: BTS to make their full group comeback in March 2026? Here's what we know Group leader RM discharged last week Last week, four of the seven-member band were discharged from the military. RM, aka Kim Namjoon and V, aka Kim Taehyung, were discharged on June 10, followed by Jimin and Jungkook a day later. All four began their military duties in December 2023. Jin, the eldest member, was the first to enlist in December 2022 and was discharged in June 2024. J-Hope, aka Jung Hoseok, completed his service in October 2024. South Korea's Military Service Act Under South Korea's mandatory conscription law, all able-bodied men aged 18 to 28 must serve 18 to 21 months in the military. While Olympic athletes and classical musicians were given exemptions, K-pop idols were not granted any despite their global influence, the AP report stated. However, in 2020, the South Korean government revised their Military Service Act, which allowed prominent entertainers like BTS to postpone their enlistment until age 30. This gave the group more time to continue their global success before serving. However, rumors over probable exemptions for BTS intensified public debate in 2022 with opinions divided. Ultimately, the band members and the agency announced in October 2022 that all seven members would be fulfilling their obligations without seeking exemptions. Now, with military service behind them, fans worldwide can look forward to BTS' long-anticipated reunion and the next chapter in their remarkable journey. FAQs 1. Has Suga been officially discharged from military service? Yes, Suga has completed his alternative military service. His official discharge date is Saturday, but he finished his duties earlier this week. 2. What kind of military service did Suga perform? Suga served as a social service agent, an alternative form of mandatory service due to medical reasons, unlike other members who served in the military. 3. When will BTS reunite as a full group? The group is expected to reunite sometime in 2026, now that all seven members have completed their service. 4. Who was the first BTS member to enlist? Jin was the first to enlist in December 2022, followed by J-Hope, RM, V, Jimin, Jung Kook, and finally Suga.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
BTS' J-Hope gets candid about love life as he shares details about what he seeks in a partner
J-Hope, while promoting his latest song 'Killin It Girl' featured on TWICE Sana 's popular variety show 'Sana's Fridge Interview.' The idols talked about memories, careers in the entertainment industry and more. J-Hope even cheekily revealed what his ideal type is during a Q&A segment in the show! J-Hope talks about ideal types and love interests As part of a regular segment on the variety show, Sana from TWICE asked the BTS rapper one of the most anticipated questions. Ever since the announcement of his feature on the show, fans have been looking forward to the burning question about the idol's love life and preferences. Sana, during the second half of the episode, asked J-Hope about what he looks for in a partner, surprising the 'MONA LISA' singer. J-Hope and Sana both laughed and joked about the fact that the question is no longer common in today's interviews and how the last time he was asked the question, he was 10 years younger. Looking for someone with a 'different perspective' from him The idol kept his answer short and quick and emphasised the fact that he's looking for a different personality when seeking a potential partner. He shared how important it is for the other person to be different from him and how their different perspective on things would matter to him. He explained the situation by putting forth a hypothetical question, saying, 'If I ask, what do you think is inside this pear drink? I'd probably answer simply that it has pear and some other ingredients. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 유일한 공식 무료 SOC 게임! 설치도 없습니다! 경복의 바다 다운로드 Undo But the other person might answer from a totally different perspective. And I'd find that really interesting [making my heart flutter].' Sana was quick to pick up on the idol's comment and shared, 'Like, which farm did the pear come from?' to which both started laughing. A video of the idol laughing at the TWICE member's comment went viral online because the BTS member got the chair stuck to him while getting up!
