The 19th-century French rooms are loud and theatrical. After hours of quiet Renaissance contemplation, they hit like a brass band — which is exactly the point.
Géricault's raft
A monumental scene of survival at sea. Stand at the back of the room first to feel the diagonal — then approach to see the brushwork in the dying figures.
Delacroix's allegory
An allegorical figure leading citizens forward, painted in colours that still feel modern. Note how loose the brush becomes in the smoke.
Ingres's perfection
After Delacroix, Ingres feels chilly — by design. The two were rivals, and the contrast between them is the entire story of the room.
The smaller cabinets
Don't miss the side rooms with intimate portraits and studies. The drawings, in particular, are extraordinary.