This paper will be concerned with the Glass Pyramid, which is located at the entrance to the Louvre Museum in Paris. Unveiled in 1988, the Glass Pyramid was designed by the esteemed Chinese-American architect I. M. Pei. This structure is an important work because it provides an example of the introduction of modern architecture into a historic context. The Louvre has existed since the late 12th century A.D., and it has undergone many architectural changes over the course of the years. As a result of these changes, the buildings of the Louvre complex show a variety of different architectural styles. Pei's Glass Pyramid adds an element of modernism to this conglomeration of historical styles. As such, it helps to bring the Louvre up to date. An important feature of the Glass Pyramid is that it modernizes the Louvre without detracting from the beauty of the historic buildings that surround it.
Ieoh Ming Pei was born in China in 1917. After moving to the United States in 1935, Pei studied architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Harvard Graduate School of Design. Following graduation, he formed the architectural firm of I.M. Pei and Partners, which later became known as Pei Cobb Freed & Partners. With this firm, Pei has created many important works. These include the John F. Kennedy Library in Boston, the East Building of the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C., and the Bank of China building in Hong Kong. Most of Pei's architectural designs have been successful. However, there have been a few failures for his firm as well. The most notable failure was the John Hancock Tower in Boston. This building, a skyscraper featuring a glass facade, was designed in the mid-1970's by Pei's partner, Henry Cobb. Although this structure was praised for its elegance and beauty, the windows of the building soon began falling out onto the street below. As a result, I. M. Pei and Partners suffered through...