One of my absolute favorite spots to return to in any museum is the installation of the Winged Victory of Samothrace at the top of a dramatic staircase in the Louvre.
It’s just a gorgeous setting — the sculpture is perfectly highlighted by the skylights above, and the contrast of the endless flow of visitors up and down the staircase further underscores her eternal grace and beauty.
I wanted at least one shot close enough to capture the almost impossibly graceful folds of the drapery flowing across her abdomen, but on this trip I also really enjoyed just standing below and taking in the full spectacle of the staircase:
These photos were taken around 10 a.m. on a weekday — by 11, this staircase was totally mobbed and photography became very difficult. If you’re interested in photographing the Louvre (or getting a decent view of the art on display, for that matter) we learned on this trip that it definitely pays to show up early!
