Snap Inc. and the Musée du Louvre have launched a new augmented reality (AR) experience called The Incredible Unknowns of the Louvre. This initiative, developed by Snap’s AR Studio Paris in collaboration with curators from the museum, allows visitors to use their smartphones to interact with six selected masterpieces. By scanning QR codes on artwork labels, users can access digital content that reveals aspects such as lost forms, materials, and colors, as well as artistic techniques.
The project follows a 2023 pilot focused on Ancient Egyptian works and aims to offer both educational and innovative ways for visitors to engage with art. According to the press release: “Starting today, Snapchat and the Musée du Louvre are offering innovative and educational experiences for six masterpieces that allow visitors, directly via their smartphones, to reveal forms, materials, and colors that have since disappeared, decode artistic techniques, and explore the iconic works from the collections in new ways.”
Snap’s AR Studio Paris designed these experiences using archival resources and scholarly references provided by the museum’s staff. Further information is available on louvre.fr for those interested in deepening their understanding of each piece through AR.
“This interactive initiative creates a new dialogue between visitors and artworks, offering a fresh way to explore the museum’s collections,” according to Snap Inc.
The augmented reality features are accessible at no additional cost to visitors. By leveraging mobile technology within one of the world’s most visited museums, this project aims to enhance how people connect with historical art objects.
