-- Highlights from one of the world's greatest collections
-- Sumptuous production in an affordable format
-- Ancient Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Islamic, Far Eastern and European art are represented

The Louvre is regarded as one of the world's greatest museums, not only for the quality of its holdings, but also for the quantity: more than 400,000 paintings, drawings and sculptures are to be found within its walls. Collectors like Francois I - who acquired the magnificent canvases of Leonardo da Vinci, Titian and Raphael - and Louis XIV, who amassed masterpieces of the French 17th century, laid the foundations of the collection.

This book presents, in rich detail, 150 of the greatest paintings and objects from the vast collections assembled by Francois I, Louis XIV, Napoleon III and successive museum directors. These range from exquisite miniatures and reliefs to detached frescoes and vast monumental works. Each is shown with details in full color, and is accompanied by an informative narrative by Henri Loyrette and curators at the Louvre. Large details f