Phantoms of the Louvre (Louvre Collection)

Every work of art tells a story, whether it’s the story of the subject depicted, the story of the work itself being created, or the story of the artist who brought it to life. And this is particularly true of the many famous works at the Louvre, where artist Enki Bilal has unearthed the tales of 22 phantoms and the masterpieces they haunt.

Phantoms of the Louvre is the ultimate mixed media project, as Bilal reinvents the history of 22 iconic works of art, tying them to a fictional muse or character whose story intersects with that of the painting/sculpture in some way. These phantoms, in turn, are depicted haunting the work, uniting art and story visually for the reader.

While Bilal’s artwork is striking, it’s the accompanying stories that sell Phantoms of the Louvre. The tragic, eventful, and often sadly abbreviated lives of the phantoms offer curious color and context to the settings in which these works were created, and at least a few of them will resonate with any reader. (Analia’s story is the one that stuck with me.)

A melange of art, history, and innovation, Phantoms of the Louvre is curious and unexpected.