Filmmaker, writer and graphic novel artist Enki Bilal has chosen 23 paintings from the Louvre to photograph and paint on, his way of bringing to life the ghosts of the people depicted…In Bilal’s imagination, each of the 23 œuvres paintings contains a character that met an untimely and painful death. It is this imaginary person that he has added as a ghostly drawing over his photo.Each of his works will be shown in the Seven Chimneys Room (on the first floor of the Sully wing) together with the biography of the person in questions, concocted once again by Bilal.

If you like them, you can buy a collection of three images (15€), the catalogue of the exhibition (25€) or even the limited edition, numbered and signed by the artist, including an exclusive drawing (The unknown ghost) at the bargain price of 165€!Bilal will be dropping into the Louvre’s bookshop to sign copies of everything on Friday 21st December from 6-8pm, and a 2-hour interview hosted by journalist / writer Christophe Ono-dit-Biot will be held in the museum’s auditorium on 30th January 2013.The Ghosts of the Louvre exhibition by Enki Bilal is at the Louvre (here) from 20th December 2012 – 18th March 2013

Open: every day except Tuesdays from 9am – 5.45pm (9.45pm Wednesdays and Fridays)

Admission: with the museum ticket (11€)

Official Louvre site: www.louvre.fr

Facebook: facebook.com/museedulouvre

Twitter: twitter.com/museelouvre

Photos: © Enki Bilal, 2012, Futuropolis / musée du Louvre