5 pyramids “the work of the devil” in honor of Napoleon.. The best secrets of the Louvre Museum – Paris ZigZag
the Louvre Museum The museum remains Most visited in the world. This emblematic cultural place, surrounded by a palace, is located in the heart of the Tuileries Gardens and is famous for its famous architecture in the form of… pyramidIt was opened in 1989. But what are the hidden stories behind it?
Modernization of the Louvre Palace
This project was launched in 1981 by President François Mitterrand The Grand Louvre It included modernizing the palace and expanding the museum to accommodate the large number of visitors. The Chinese-American architect Yiu Ming Bai, a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, was chosen to build this museum. When plans for the pyramid were unveiled in 1983, many remained unconvinced by the modernity of the architecture compared to the classical-style palace. However, its construction was validated and work began in 1985, with its opening on April 1, 1989.
Despite the criticism, Eoh Ming Pei points out that he believes his architecture resonates Palace axes : “I worked as a landscape architect, not an architect. Le Nôtre inspired me more than anyone else. The geometry of the unit that runs through the pyramid is French. However, the choice of glass is a way of moving away from the heavy, opaque stone of the building, to design more Transparent and bright. Today, it is this pyramid that embodies the symbol of the most visited museum in the world.
Architectural achievement
If the pyramid does not win everyone’s support for its aesthetics, it nevertheless remains a true architectural achievement. In fact, the architect was inspired by the proportions Pyramid of Khufu In Egypt to produce this polyhedron, 1000 square meters wide and 21.65 meters high. To be erectable, it is held together by a 95-ton steel structure and an aluminum frame 105 tons and 673 diamonds glass. In addition, the thickness of the glass was 21 mm, and the difficulty was to make it as transparent as possible: this was done thanks to a special kiln and the use of sand from the Fontainebleau Forest.
“The work of the devil.”
Of all the controversies that the building of the pyramid has generated, one of them seems to be a curse! In fact, for a long time, rumor claimed that this was a new building The devil’s workSimply because it will consist of… 666 glass panels. Like any rumor, it can be denied at any time! In fact, the pyramid is actually made up of 673 panels. Just count them, if you really care!
Five pyramids
We often talk about the Louvre Pyramid, but in reality it is not unique! In fact, the architecture designed by Eu Ming Pei actually includes five. Of course there is”Great pyramid“Known by everyone, but also surrounded Three small pyramidsAnd also A Reverse the fifthWhich can only be seen from the Louvre Circle.
But why the pyramid?
We used to talk about the “pyramid” of the Louvre, but we are not surprised by it anymore. But why did the architect want to imitate the shape of this famous Egyptian building in the heart of an old French palace? Triangle indicates the symbol of the Freemasons? This would actually have its origins in time Napoleon Bonaparte. Indeed, the Emperor is known for his travels to Egypt, during which he introduced this exotic culture to the French. The pyramid is considered a true symbol of absolute power, and is therefore seen as a national monument in honor of Napoleon. Anyway, this is the idea that was launched on Memoirs on two major obligations that the French have to fulfill to Bernard François Balzac (1809), which Eoh Ming Bai has surely heard of…which wouldn’t be surprising, since the museum is located on Place Napoleon!
Read also: Do you know why this Parisian neighborhood was called “Little Egypt”?
Featured Image: Louvre Museum © Adobe Stock
