This Week In History (thanks to Park West)

A little art history glimpse, this week…

Thanks to an article @ Park West Gallery, I have discovered that this week (August 10), is the anniversary of two significant historical events.

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The Louvre (pronounced “luvʁ” according to Wikipedia), and located in Paris, France, opened August 10, 1793. The Louvre is a beautiful complex dating back to the 12th century, used as a palace, and growing in grandeur over time. It had different “owners” in the royal family, who commissioned improvements, creating the palatial beauty that we experience today.

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The Smithsonian opened this week, in 1846, after President Polk signed the Act of Congress. According to their web site, the Smithsonian is the “largest museum and research complex” in the world. It is named after its benefactor, James Smithson.

There is so much more to both of these establishments, then these brief descriptions. You can find out more by following the links, above. Of course, the aid of Google can also assist you history buffs in quenching the art history thirst.