The Louvre Glass Pyramid Celebrates its 30th Birthday
The glass pyramid entrance at the Louvre Museum in Paris has recently turned 30 years old and while it is loved the world over now, that was not always the case. In fact it was a very controversial issue for many years. Most of us however, cannot image the Louvre now without its unique and much photographed glass pyramid entrance.
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When French president François Mitterrand commissioned the project it was ridiculed and the reactions to the design and its designing architect were strong and unfavourable. The president inaugurated the finished pyramid on March 1989, but as the public had to wait until nearly the end of March, that is 29 March, to see their new museum entrance, this date has become the celebrated birthdate of the pyramid, rather like the celebrated birthdate of the Eiffel Tower.
The Louvre Museum
The Musée du Louvre in the 1st arrondissement is the largest art museum in the world and is the most visited museum in the world with over 10 million visitors. Its been said by the Louvre's director, Mr Jean-Luc Martinez, that some of the museum's popularity has been attributed to the large glass pyramid entrance known as ‘la pyramide’.
Mr Jean-Luc Martinez said this about the now iconic glass pyramid designed by Chinese architect Mr leoh Ming Pei, "The pyramid has brought the Louvre Museum into modernity. It is the sign of a revolution that has put the visitor at the centre of the museum."
The Glass of the Glass Pyramid
The glass entrance and the underground carousel (large underground shopping centre and additional museum entrance) was actually designed with practicality, as well as aesthetics in mind. The main pyramid was intended to be the main entrance to the museum and assist visitor traffic flow.
Mr leoh Ming Pei visualised the pyramid just as it is today as his design is unchanged with its original design of 70 triangular and 603 diamond shaped glass panes.
Cleaning the Glass Pyramid of the Louvre
Keeping the glass clean is an important job and on my last trip to Paris I was lucky enough to watch the glass cleaner in action.
The glass cleaner's specially designed steam cleaner is remotely controlled with water and power provided independently. With amazing precision the machine goes to the very edge of the triangle, which at the pyramid's top height is 22 metres, and then slowly descends again to repeat the action.
The cleaning leaves no streaks and is usually done early in the day before tourists arrive at the Cour Napoleon (Napoleon courtyard). The choice of glass was very important for the success of Pei's pyramid as it was essential that it be the most transparent and flattest glass possible so the original Louvre wings would not be obstructed. I think his choice of materials and design has been a huge success and I will always love la pyramide.
A French Collection on YouTube
Celebrating 30 Years
Celebrating its birthday on 29 March each year la pyramide has turned 30 this year and it'll continue to be both practical and artistic for many years to come drawing visitors from around the globe. Even though I've visited Paris numerous times, I can't help but walk through Cour Napoleon and admire the daring glass pyramid of the Louvre each Paris trip. Are you the same? Does the stunning courtyard of the Louvre appeal to you?
