Currently, the Louvre is bracing for masses of eager spectators this fall. As the museum prepares, they are organizing an unprecedented retrospective of Leonardo da Vinci exhibition Louvre.
In addition to the fact that 2019 marks the 500-year anniversary of the artist’s death, the exhibition is a major milestone. Specifically, it is the culmination of more than a decade of work. This includes new scientific examinations and conservation treatments of several famous paintings.
Managing Record-Breaking Crowds
Recently, the Musée du Louvre announced a major change for visitors. For this exhibition, guests must book timed tickets in advance. Opening on October 24, the show requires this mandatory booking policy to control large crowds.
Consequently, the museum will sell timed tickets at 30-minute intervals. Jean-Luc Martinez, the Louvre’s president and director, explained the decision to The Art Newspaper.
He stated: “This will enable us to manage the flow of visitors and prevent them from queuing. It’s about changing our visitors’ habits.”
This decision came after the Louvre’s overall attendance reached a record 10.2 million visitors in 2018. That number is the equivalent of 25,000 to 50,000 people a day.
A Decade of Preparation
The upcoming retrospective is expected to attract huge crowds of art lovers. Curated by Vincent Delieuvin and Louis Frank, the show includes paintings from the Louvre’s own collection. Notably, this includes the iconic Mona Lisa and da Vinci’s early piece La Belle Ferronnière.
Marking the fifth centenary of the Italian artist’s death, the exhibition will include a wide array of drawings. Furthermore, it will present the latest scientific examinations of the Louvre’s paintings.
Additionally, the conservation treatment of three works will allow a better understanding of da Vinci’s artistic practice. Ultimately, this offers a unique glimpse into his pictorial technique.
The Leonardo da Vinci exhibition will be on at the Louvre from October 24, 2019, to February 24, 2020.
