Louvre Abu Dhabi unveils rare global art in new display

Photo: Abu Dhabi Media Office

Louvre Abu Dhabi has unveiled a new collection of artworks that brings together rare pieces from different times, cultures, and artistic movements. This new display includes artworks the museum recently bought and some very special artworks that have been loaned from top museums around the world. These works range from a first-century cameo made in Roman times to modern paintings by famous artists like Kandinsky, Giacometti, and Antoni Tàpies.

The museum hopes that these artworks will help visitors understand the beautiful story of human creativity and connection that has continued for thousands of years. It shows how art can bring people together, teach us about history, and inspire our minds.

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The Museum’s Aim: Keeping Art Alive and Dynamic

Dr. Guilhem André, who is the Director of Scientific, Curatorial and Collections Management at Louvre Abu Dhabi, shared how important it is for the museum to keep adding new artworks. He said that by carefully choosing new pieces for the museum, it remains a lively space that excites art lovers, families, students, and anyone who is curious about the world.

He also said that the museum is very happy to bring these loaned masterpieces to Abu Dhabi. These artworks are treasures in their own museums, and Louvre Abu Dhabi is thankful to its partners for sharing them. He added that these new additions strengthen Louvre Abu Dhabi’s role as a cultural heart of Saadiyat Cultural District and as a place where people can learn about diverse stories and shared human experiences.

The Team Behind the New Displays

The new displays were made possible because of the hard work of the museum’s curatorial team. Team members like Amna Al Zaabi, Fakhera Alkindi, Aisha Al Ahmadi, Mariam Al Dhaheri, and Rawdha AlAbdouli worked very closely with partner museums. They did research, secured loans, and finalised acquisitions. Their efforts show Louvre Abu Dhabi’s commitment to supporting local talent and encouraging cultural exchange around the world.

Highlights of Newly Acquired Artworks

The museum’s new acquisitions include paintings, sculptures, and beautifully crafted objects. Some of the special new items on display are:

• Kota Reliquary Figure from Gabon (late 19th or early 20th century). This wooden and metal figure was made by the Sébé River Master of the Skull Head. It was used to honour ancestors and protect their spirits.

• Roman Cameo (c. 37-41 CE). This carved gemstone possibly shows Agrippa Postumus, a Roman noble, and it is displayed along with precious gold jewellery from the museum’s collection.

• Head of an Ephebe from Cyprus (5th century BCE). This limestone sculpture represents a young man and is shown alongside other busts from different cultures.

• Casket from the Kingdom of Kotte, Ceylon (Sri Lanka) (around 1543). This box shows a mix of South Asian and European designs, showing how art styles travelled through trade.

• The Rialto Bridge from the South (c. 1720) by Giovanni Antonio Canal. This painting shows a calm and detailed view of Venice.

• The Farewell of Telemachus and Eucharis (1800) by Charles Meynier. This Neoclassical painting explores themes like love, duty, and moral values.

• Portrait of Kosa Pan (1686) by Antoine Benoist. This shows the first ambassador from Siam (Thailand) to the French court of King Louis XIV.

• White Oval (1921) by Wassily Kandinsky. This modern painting uses colour and shapes to show emotions, rhythm, and unity.

Masterpieces on Loan from International Museums

In addition to their new acquisitions, Louvre Abu Dhabi has borrowed artworks from famous museums like Musée du Louvre in Paris, Centre Pompidou, and the National Museum of the Philippines. Some of these priceless loans include:

• Sarcophagus of Livia Primitiva (around 250 CE) from Musée du Louvre. This is one of the earliest examples of Christian funerary art and shows how early Christians honoured their dead.

• Portrait of the Artist (1825) by Antoinette Cécile Hortense Haudebourt-Lescot from Musée du Louvre. In this painting, the artist shows herself proudly as a professional portrait painter.

• Una Bulaqueña (1895) by Juan Luna from the National Museum of the Philippines. This painting is leaving the Philippines for the first time. It was declared a National Cultural Treasure in 2008. It shows an ideal Filipina woman who looks strong, graceful, and proud.

• Femme de Venise V (Woman of Venice V, 1956) by Alberto Giacometti from Centre Pompidou. This bronze sculpture shows a thin, tall female figure that seems strong yet delicate at the same time.

• L’Orage (The Storm, 1947–1948) by Germaine Richier from Centre Pompidou. This bronze sculpture of a powerful male figure shows human strength against nature’s forces.

• Grand blanc horizontal (1962) by Antoni Tàpies from Centre Pompidou. This large mixed-media artwork adds a contemporary touch to the museum and shows Tàpies’ style of material experimentation and abstraction.

How The Displays are Designed to Inspire Visitors

Each display at Louvre Abu Dhabi is arranged in a way that connects civilisations and different time periods. The museum uses these artworks to tell universal stories and to compare cultures. This way, first-time visitors and returning guests can discover new meanings each time they visit. The curators aim to make people think about how art connects us all, no matter where we come from.

A Place for Discovery

Louvre Abu Dhabi continues to build its world-class collection with the aim of celebrating art from all corners of the world. It is not just a museum but a place where students, families, and people of all ages can come to learn, reflect, and feel inspired by the creativity of humanity.

If you want to see these amazing new artworks and learn more about their stories, you can visit the museum’s website at www.louvreabudhabi.ae to book your tickets and plan your visit today.