Abu Dhabi: Religious and historic manuscripts that have influenced the world are on display as part of the Louvre Abu Dhabi Stories: Al Qalam exhibition launched by the Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA-AD) on Sunday.
Running until August 30, the Manarat Al Saadiyat gallery showcases only some of the 500 artworks in the museum’s permanent collection that will be unveiled once it opens this year.
Considered one of the most well preserved of the estimated 1,000 such pieces that exist today, the Egyptian mummy, Portrait of Fayoum, can be seen at the front lines of the gallery.
“This is a very important artefact and is, in my opinion, the best one in quality that I’ve seen so far. It is an Egyptian funerary painting that was placed on the face of a mummy. Other similar portraits can be found in international museums,” said Alia Lootah, Researcher for Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum who was speaking at the exhibition’s opening today.
The first display, Al Qalam, will run from 21 June to 25 July 2015 while the second one, Immortal Figures, will run from 28 July to 30 August 2015. The Portrait of Fayoum will be part of both presentations.
“The objects on display exemplify how artworks created by different civilisations can complement one another in their composition, style and representation. Together these artistic creations can be considered a harmonious symphony,” Dr Celine Pouyat, senior project manager at the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum, said in a statement.
In 2013, the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum revealed the first 130 pieces to join its permanent collection under an exhibition titled ‘Birth of a Museum’. These included sculptures, paintings and artefacts, among other significant pieces.
“It is challenging for us to acquire artworks that are synonymous with the Louvre’s place within the artworld. Therefore, we strive to find the most well preserved pieces that are of the highest quality which fit the universal theme of the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum,” Alia added.
With inputs from Heidi Pullyard, Special to Gulf News
