Louvre launches Al Qalam exhibition
Religious and historic manuscripts on display till August 30
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) yesterday.
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 best preserved of the estimated 1,000 such pieces that exist today, the Egyptian mummy, Portrait of Fayyum, 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 at the exhibition’s opening.
Opening on July 28, the Immortal Figures display will run alongside Al Qalam and will present sculptures of some of the world’s most prominent figures.
“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, said in a statement.
In 2013, the Louvre Museum revealed the first 130 works to join its permanent collection under an exhibition titled ‘Birth of a Museum’.
“It is challenging for us to acquire artworks that are synonymous with the Louvre’s place within the art world. Therefore, we strive to find the most well preserved pieces that are of the highest quality which fit the universal theme of the Louvre Museum, Abu Dhabi,” Alia added.
-With inputs from Heidi Pullyard, Special to Gulf News