The Louvre and the Hermitage: The History and Contents of Europe's Biggest Art Museums

The very name of the Louvre conjures up scenes of art and elegance, and of long halls filled with beauty and people strolling through them whispering quietly among themselves about the glories they are witnessing. Even those who have never been to the Louvre know some of its most prized possessions, from ancient statues to Leonardo Da Vinci's “Mona Lisa”. As the world's largest museum, the Louvre is unquestionably the cultural highpoint of Paris, a city that has long been considered the cul...