We enjoyed the Italian Renaissance paintings and the extensive collection of Dutch, Flemish, and German paintings, but at each turn in the buildings I was taken with the grace, proportion, and design of the museum building itself.
The Grand Gallery where the Da Vincis may be seen is a crush of humanity with school groups and tour groups jostling to see the Mona Lisa and Da Vinci's Virgin of the Rocks. I had a whole room of Rembrandt's to myself in the Richelieu Wing where the Northern School is housed.
It was a grand experience: the Louvre is gracious with beauty but constraint where the Vatican Museum is so opulent as to overshadow the art works.
I too enjoyed the contrast and the quiet of the rooms featuring the northern artists. It is such a different atmosphere. The crowded areas made me want to move quickly but then I didn't take it in like I could have. Either way you go, it is TOO BIG to feel like you've seen it. I've never seen the furniture apartments.
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