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Louvre Abu Dhabi’s ‘rain of light’* Image Credit: Kurator

Highlight

As ‘one of its kind universal museum’ in the Arab world, Louvre Abu Dhabi offers a unique experience to visitors taking them on a journey through various civilisations.

For the emirate of Abu Dhabi, working towards establishing itself as a truly international city, the much awaited open-ing of the Louvre Abu Dhabi museum is one of the most exciting surprises in store for the general public.

The museum opens its doors to visitors on November 11, 2017. As a one of its kind universal museum in the Arab world, the Louvre Abu Dhabi’s key emphasis is on shared human stories that straddle cultures and civilisations. Visitors will be able to see a number of significant collections of artworks and artifacts on loan from France’s top museums. Interestingly, these span the entire spectrum of human existence, from prehistorical objects to commissioned contemporary artworks. The ‘Great Vestibule’ is the starting point of Louvre Abu Dhabi’s story where visitors are introduced to significant themes such as funeral and maternity rituals. Interestingly, all the galleries will be presented in a chronological and thematic manner followed by a sub-division into 12 chapters.

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A Young Emir Studying by Osman Hamdy Bey. Istanbul, 1878. Oil on canvas (73 x 118.2 x 13.8 cm)’* Image Credit: Kurator
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The Subjugated Reader by René Magritte. Le Perreux-sur-Marne, France, 1928. Oil on canvas (114 x 95 x 7.6 cm)* Image Credit: Kurator

Louvre Abu Dhabi forms one element of Abu Dhabi’s cultural strategy

Many artists have contributed to specially producing works for Louvre Abu Dhabi, of which Italian artist Giuseppe Penone (b.1947) produced Leaves of Lights (2017) and Propagation (2017). The latter is an interesting piece produced in partner-ship with the workshops of Sèvres – Cité de la céramique (in France) because it features a wall of porcelain tiles which portray hand-drawn concentric circles emerging from the fingerprint of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan, father of the UAE.

With its array of galleries, the museum will also consist of different exhibitions, a Children’s Museum, a cafe, a restaurant and a boutique. According to His Excel-lency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Tourism & Cul-ture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) & Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), “Louvre Abu Dhabi embodies our belief that nations thrive on diversity.” Indeed the Louvre Abu Dhabi is an exceptional experience taking visitors on a journey from the beginning of time and providing detailed insights into different as-pects of life.

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Red Chinese lacquer and gilt bronze commode by Bernard II Van Risen Burgh. Paris, c. 1753-1756. Oak frame, Chinese lacquer France, veneer, gilt bronze, green marble Campan top (80.5 x 109 x 50 cm)* Image Credit: Kurator
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Standing Bodhisattva (Maitreya?) Asia, 2nd-3rd AD, Schist (155 x 50 x 20 cm, 198 kg)* Image Credit: Kurator
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The Gypsy by Edouard Manet. Paris, France, 1862-1867. Oil on canvas (90.5 x 55.5 x 2.5 cm)* Image Credit: Kurator