10 must-see famous paintings in the Louvre

Located on the right bank of the Seine River, the Louvre Museum has rightly earned its shining reputation. Since 1793, the museum has housed one of the world's largest art collections—with over 480,000 pieces and some 10,000 years of history. Roam around, and you'll probably find something from any era within this impressive shrine of art. The Mona Lisa and The Coronation of Napoleon are just some of the prized paintings that call this regal landmark home.

Before you begin your exploration, grab a map at the entrance or download the interactive floor plan. To make sure you don't miss the most iconic art, consider a private guided tour that covers the museum's highlights, lesser-known works, and a little bit of art history—most also include skip-the-line access. Or you can wander at your own pace with a Louvre Museum audio guide (available in ten languages).

Not sure where to begin? We’ve gathered a list of the most famous paintings you must see in the Louvre.

You can’t say you’ve visited the Louvre Museum without seeing this international treasure by Leonardo da Vinci. Encased in bulletproof glass, the Mona Lisa is one of the most famous paintings in the world and valued around $860 million. Being one of the highlights of the Louvre, this iconic painting draws thousands of jostling spectators all day. Get yourself a skip-the-line ticket to dodge the crowds and view this monumental piece up close.

You can find The Raft of Medusa, Théodore Géricault’s representative work, just around the corner from the Mona Lisa. Originally known as Scène de Naufrage (Shipwreck Scene), this painting was considered a breakthrough in the contemporary art scene at the time and remains one of the most significant paintings of French Romanticism.

Shortly after Géricault’s death at age 32, the Louvre Museum bought The Raft of Medusa, and it has remained there ever since.

Measuring 20 feet by 32 feet, the sheer size of this painting should be enough to wow you. The subject of the painting is none other than Napoleon Bonaparte, one of the greatest leaders in world history. This intricate masterpiece depicting the coronation of Napoleon at the Notre-Dame Church in Paris took Jacques-Louis David—the emperor's first painter—three years to complete.

Painted by Italian Renaissance painter Paolo Veronese, The Wedding Feast at Cana is another must-see at the Louvre Museum. At 22 feet in height, this painting is the biblical scene where Jesus turned water into wine, with hundreds of people in attendance. Veronese weaved a Venetian style of painting, characterized by deep and rich colors, and created The Wedding at Cana—one of the greatest masterpieces he ever painted.

Marvel at one of Eugène Delacroix’s works, Liberty Leading the People, a revolutionary painting that commemorates the July Revolution that led to the descent of King Charles X. Appreciate the artistic expression of freedom through this iconic painting as it marks the beginning of democracy, depicted by a woman holding the flag of France and wearing a red Phrygian cap—a symbol of Liberty.

Eugène Delacroix is also the artist behind Dante and Virgil in Hell, also known as The Barque of Dante. The painting was inspired by the nine circles of hell from The Divine Comedy, a famous poem penned by Dante Alighieri. Dante and Virgil in Hell was moved to the Louvre Museum in 1874 and had been residing there since.

The Battle between Love and Chastity by the Italian artist Pietro Perugino, captures the struggle between the two moral values of the Renaissance period, portrayed through mythological figures like Venus, Minerva and Diana. At the time, there was backlash for his naked depiction of Venus.

The Death of the Virgin is the work of the Italian artist, Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, depicting the death of Virgin Mary. What makes this piece different is the portrayal of the Virgin Mary as an ordinary woman on her deathbed, vastly different from her typical motherly and pure depictions—much to the ire of the people of Caravaggio’s followers and community.

Created by Guido Reni in 1606, David with the Head of Goliath depicts the tale of David and Goliath in a combination of Baroque and Renaissance styles. David is portrayed as the epitome of 17th-century male beauty—fair and feminine—a contrast to the scraggly depiction of the head of Goliath.

The Pastoral Concert was painted by Italian artist, Tiziano Vecelli (also known as Titan). This mysterious painting was embroiled in several debates over the meaning behind its creation. Head down to the Denon Wing and see it for yourself; perhaps you'll come up with your own interpretation of this intimate painting.