Louis XVI planned the transformation of the Louvre from royal palace to public museum, but it was the Revolution which gave the real impetus: the Grande Gallerie was finally opened by Napoleon in 1793. With the opening of the Richelieu wing in the former Ministry of Finance, French painting is now superbly displayed in chronological order from its origins to the mid 19th century, while the great masterpieces of Italian, Flemish, Dutch, and German paintings are shown as never before.

Michel Laclotte, former Curator of the Museums, and Jean-Pierre Cuzin, Head Curator of the Department of Paintings, in a highly readable and informative text describe the origins and development of the collections of the different schools.

More than 450 beautifully printed color reproductions illustrate the masterpieces of this unique museum.