Blog | HPRG Sky Under The Roof… Drawings for Parisian Ceilings in the Grand Siècle at the Louvre until 19th May 2014 – Hotels Paris Rive Gauche Blog

Sky Under The Roof… Drawings for Parisian Ceilings in the Grand Siècle at the Louvre until 19th May 2014

If you’re a luddite like me, you probably haven’t attended many exhibitions about ceiling painting before. Shame on us. Time to catch up at the Louvre and see how the 18th century turned some people’s ceilings into veritable works of art!

Here’s all the info.

Peupler les cieux - dessins pour les plafonds parisiens au XVIIème siècle au Louvre jusqu'au 19 mai 2014
© Private collection, Paris, Prat collection

So what exactly happened in the 18th century to spark this wave of creativity on ceilings all over Paris? Well, simply, after ages of dull flat ceilings, they suddenly became all moulded, giving artists a new 3D canvas upon which to express themselves differently. Suddenly, they could play with space and optical illusions.

The exhibition concentrates particularly on examples of incredible Parisian ceilings at the Hôtel Lambert (currently being renovated), the national library on rue Richelieu and the Louvre. Look up – you’ll be surprised!

Peupler les cieux - dessins pour les plafonds parisiens au XVIIème siècle au Louvre jusqu'au 19 mai 2014
© RMN-Grand Palais (musée du Louvre) / Tony Querrec

The exhibition Peupler les cieux – dessins pour les plafonds parisiens au XVIIème siècle (Sky Under The Roof… Drawings for Parisian Ceilings in the Grand Siècle) is at the Louvre (here) until 19th May 2014 (Sully wing, 2nd floor, rooms 20-23)

Open: every day except Tuesday from 9am – 6pm (9.45pm Wednesdays & Fridays)

Admission: with the museum ticket (12€)

Official Louvre site: www.louvre.fr

Facebook: facebook.com/museedulouvre

Twitter: twitter.com/museelouvre