"Adventures in the Louvre" The Consultation Room

I, too, found this part of her book slightly shocking! I can’t wait to hear how it works out fir you.

As to how to choose, if you have a favorite artist I’d go to the collections part of the Louvre website and browse the database on what they’ve got that’s not on display. I just looked at Claude Monet because they do have some of his work in the Louvre but there were too many hits for me to search thru on my iPad (currently traveling and waiting for breakfast to start, lolol!) plus they list things that are in the Orsay. I went to the other end of the spectrum and searched Vermeer but there are only the 2 listings which are his works that are hanging.

I’m sure the experience will be interesting if not awesome. Years ago I went to the heritage and archive center in Yellowstone and asked to see the original artwork from Thomas Moran from the 1871 Geological Survey he was on. The staffer took me to the flat drawer filing cabinets and she and I looked thru them. Gobsmacked!

Thanks Pam!
I just ordered a book on ebay about the Rothschild Collection. That should get me started.
I will update the thread as I get more information.

This is where art historians study works on paper and other fragile documents. Try pre 1874 artists which is what the Louvre houses, aside from donations that can’t be separated: Rembrandt, Durer, both created a lot of works on paper.

Update: I have sent my request for access to the consultation room on September 15. I included a list of works with their catalog numbers. I will let you know what happens.

Ohhhh....she says...sucking in a breath....can't wait to hear what happens.

How did you wind up researching your 10 works of art?

As to the Adventures in the Louvre book..I want to do her "Tuesday tour" so I need to go back to that chapter and work out a plan!

Pam,
I am so excited! Thank you so much for recommending the book here on the forum. I am looking forward to a unique experience! I have received a response to my inquiry. I asked for an appointment on Tuesday, September 16th. My request was for myself and DS.
The reply stated that they are closed on the 16th, but to please confirm for a different day. They also requested that DS send his own request in a separate email. We have resent our requests. Sciolino wrote not to expect a timely reply, but they emailed me first thing on Monday morning. (the email came in the middle of my night).

The first thing I did to research the works was to order a book from eBay titled The Edmond Rothschild Collection at The Louvre Museum. It is the second all French book in the house, the first being The Little Prince. It has pictures of some highlighted works. Then I went to the Louvre website on the consultation room page at the Department of Graphics. I found this page to be very clunky and it was taking me forever. I then found a different page prints and drawings. Because of my practice on the previous page it went much smoother. It took a long time. For DS I searched for pastels and then separately for Rembrandt. You can also search for "horses" or "cats" or something similar. I am interested in the David sketch of Marie Antoinette on the way to her death, a Leonardo sketch, Rafael, and Pissaro. The works include drawings from d'Orsay as well.

The email address is: [email protected]

I don’t have anything to add to your search but look forward to hearing more after your visit ! I’ve read three of Elaine Sciolino ‘s books. She is a fantastic author and I learned so much about the louvre in her latest. She also has written a good book on the seine and in the neighborhood she lives in.

OMG - this is so fantastic. Looking forward to reading about everyone's adventures.

Thank you OP for this information. I've just ordered The Only Street in Paris: Life on the Rue Des Martyrs and The Seine: The River That Made Paris. I ordered them from Thrift Books, used, for under $20 including shipping. I've used them many times instead of Amazon--their books are always in pristine condition. Why have I never heard of this author or of The Consultation Room before?! Thanks again vandrabrud.

My appointment is confirmed for Thursday September 18th at 2 pm.
I will report back after I return home!

FYI, the email conversation was all in French. When I sent my first email I first apologized for my poor French. I used Google Translate and used very simple sentence structure. I am learning French, but I have a long ways to go. When I recieved an email from their end, I did my best to read it in French and then I clicked the translate button. The person was very kind and informative and I am very pleased with the communication.

I hope more people can take advantage of this opportunity to get up close and personal to works of art.

We received further emails confirming our specific art work requests.
Unfortunately, they don't allow Leonardo drawings out.

Later this week I will give you our lists.

"Unfortunately, they don't allow Leonardo drawings out."

Well, darn it!