In Musée du Louvre, Paris XI, Candida Höfer captures the 17th-century Galerie d’Apollon within the Louvre, a space imbued with historical and cultural significance that the artist has meticulously documented through a series of eighteen photographs. These images, selected from several visits to the museum on Tuesdays when it is traditionally closed to the public, provide an intimate exploration of the Louvre's ancient palaces and the opulent galleries dedicated to painting and sculpture. Following shortly after her projects focused on the Paris Opéra and Brazilian churches, Höfer's work in the Louvre is a continuation of her exploration of iconic cultural institutions, serving as a visual record that reflects on the grandeur and historical richness of one of the world's most esteemed museums. Her photographs convey the intricate details of the Louvre's architecture and interior spaces, emphasising both the vastness and the strength of the museum's design, as well as the magnificence of its painted and sculpted decorations. What is particularly striking in this series is the paradox Höfer creates between absence and presence; the stark clarity of her images, uninhabited by people, contrasts with the enigmatic aura they exude, allowing viewers to focus solely on the architectural elements and the ambient qualities of the spaces. This deliberate obfuscation of human presence can be interpreted as a commentary on the relationship between people and their built environments, raising questions about the way cultural and institutional spaces are perceived when devoid of their usual occupants. Höfer’s use of natural light to capture Musée du Louvre, Paris XI, coupled with her meticulous attention to detail, gives prominence to the textures, colours, and intricate features of the museum’s interior, creating a sense of stillness and timelessness in her compositions. Her symmetrical perspectives and balanced framing further enhance the formal beauty of the Louvre’s architecture, underscoring the order and harmony that are inherent in its design. Together, these elements form a body of work that not only celebrates the architectural splendour of the Louvre but also invites viewers to reflect on the enduring role of such spaces in preserving and presenting cultural heritage.