Lessons from the Louvre – Part 3
This is the third part of my series on paintings in the Louvre. This is my attempt to cure those suffering from MLS syndrome, and opening your eyes to art highlights other than the Mona Lisa! Over the next month there will be weekly articles on my highlights, which tend not to be the normal selections! I last wrote about the Kim Kardashian of the 1600s, featuring Marie de Medici. If you don’t want to miss out on my next articles on the Louvre please just click on the “Blog Notification” button just to the right.
We all lead very busy lives. There are always deadlines and appointments to make. One of my greatest treats is to be able to visit the Louvre and sit and look at one painting.
The painting I am going to share with you today is “Atala in the Tomb” painted by Anne-Louis Girodet-Trioson.
The inspiration of this painting came from the tragic love story of the French author Chateaubriand called “The Two Loves of Two Savages in the Desert”.
This painting tells the story of the Christian maiden Atala, who frees the Indian brave Chactas from his enemies and finds refuge with him in the cave of the religious hermit Father Aubry. Having consecrated herself to God and a life of chastity, Atala takes poison when she fears that she is falling in love with Chactas. After her death, Chactas vows to become a Christian himself.
Words are not really required to describe the scene. We have a heart-breaking image of purity, beauty, despair and sensuality, as Chactas clings to Atala’s legs refusing to lay her in the tomb, which he has already prepared. I think we have all experienced similar grief at some stage of our lives – the pain of having to say goodbye, of having to let go? We see Atala draped lightly in a white sheet with the last of the day’s sun making her radiate light, as if she were still alive, her hands clasped as if in prayer. She had such a struggle between her spiritual values of faith and her sensual values of love, but we look out of the cave to see the cross on the hill, which in a way reminds the viewer of the Christian promise of eternal life.
If you click on the photo of the painting you will make out some writing etched on the wall of the cave. These words are from the book of Job and they read in French “I have faded like a flower, I have withered like the grass in the fields”.
So click on the photo to enlarge it, and take a moment looking at the painting, and feel the pain in this story of forbidden love.
To find “Atala in the Tomb” in the Louvre:
The room where this painting is located is my favourite room in the whole Louvre. You just follow signs to French 19th century! Here you also have stunning collections of David, Ingres et al, as well as this painting by Girodet.
Denon wing
1st Floor (ground floor, first floor)
Daru
Room 75
“Chateaubriand. Roasted beef tenderloin with wine sauce.”
( special meal usually served for lovers)
“Tragic love story of the French author Chateaubriand called “The Two Loves of Two Savages in the Desert”.
“Anne-Louis Girodet-Trioson – The Painter”
( In the scheme of life, these events are very much linked )
Very deep meaningful blog John, unfavelling the mysteries of life and the consequences, in the modern day.
Sorry about the unfavourable spelling mistake – unravelling
is the correct spelling –
Wow, John- lovely and thought provoking picture. We have been to the Lourve several times and we tried not to cover too much ground or get lost in the art. Enjoying smaller sections or like you did here, just one piece, really allows you to be fully invested and involved with the art. Love this idea.
I still think you made your visits the right way – just a bit at a time. Sadly for those two day tourists to Paris they don’t have that luxury. Sometimes on a winter day I can go to the Louvre just for an hour just to see a couple of paintings!
i still have yet to make it to the Louvre. i suspect that i’ll be very overwhelmed my first time there…
Thanks Jen for your comment. I’m excited for you for your first visit to the Louvre whenever that may be?
I think I would really enjoy the Louvre if I had a guide tell me all about the art! Thanks for your insights into the painting.
Beautiful study of a painting!
I’ve been to Paris so many times, but never made it into the Louvre… This will be one painting to start with when I do make it then!
Christina, even if you put aside one hour for a visit to the Louvre it will be worth the 10 Euro entrance fee!
John,
As usual, you have managed to convey the great emotions associated with viewing the paintings in person from afar. Thanks for your insights and for letting us know where to find these gems.
I will be headed to the Louvre in a few short weeks to search out works by a relative of my husband’s – Germain Pilon. I can’t wait to follow my own cookie crumb trail and see where it leads.
Cheers,
Priscilla