Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

“Patrons view Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, the Louvre, 1953.”

Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

“Cleaning painting, which is upside down, a Louvre restorer tackles the central portion of Gericault’s gigantic canvas, The Raft of the Medusa.”

Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

“Children take notes during a discussion of ancient Greek pottery at the Louvre, 1953.”

Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

“Married couple and their young daughter view the crown of King Louis XV at the Louvre, 1953.”

Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

“Loading statue, worker places Roman carving of athlete on carriage to be taken to workshop where legs, put on by an earlier restorer, will be removed.”

Dmitri Kessel—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

“Artists scrutinize their versions of a Titian portrait (left) and the Mona Lisa (right), Louvre, 1953.”

More photos here.