The history of the Louvre is as intriguing and layered as the stories behind the artworks it houses. Originally built as a fortress in 12th century Paris, it was expanded into a palace and a residence for the French monarchy until King Louis XIV moved the royal family to the Palace of Versailles in 1682. The building was then used as a residence for artists under Royal patronage, and later became a public art space. During the French Revolution, it was converted into a museum to display the finest examples of national art, and found greater prominence in the Napoleonic era with its collections expanding further toward the end of the 19th century.
Today, the Louvre’s expansive art curation includes the works of Renaissance masters like Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Sandro Botticelli, along with sculptures dating back to ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt. It is a global icon of art and history with an impact that transcends the borders of Europe.
In 2007, a landmark cultural exchange agreement was signed between the French and UAE governments that would combine the former’s historical expertise with the forward-thinking vision of the latter. The cornerstone of that agreement was the establishment of Louvre Abu Dhabi, which marked a new chapter for the lauded museum and heralded the dawn of a new era in art for the Arab world.
A Museum with Universal Appeal
Louvre Abu Dhabi bills itself as the world’s first ‘universal museum’, championing the diversity of human history while highlighting the commonalities that unite us. This guiding philosophy is symbolic of the region’s increasingly diverse population and is evident in every aspect of the museum. The exhibits span different eras of history and prehistory, and the design of the building blends French and Middle Eastern architectural styles. It is located on Saadiyat Island in the coveted Saadiyat Cultural District, just a short distance from the coastline of Abu Dhabi city.
Instead of creating separate wings and galleries dedicated to different corners of the world, Louvre Abu Dhabi divides its exhibits chronologically. This creates a cohesive space where visitors can experience cultural artefacts from different geographical regions at once, thus developing a better understanding of how civilisation as a whole developed over a specific era.
A Bridge Between Past and Future
The collections found in Louvre Abu Dhabi weave a unified tapestry of civilisations, where rare coins from the Macedonian Empire occupy the same halls as pottery created in the Yuan Dynasty and African sculptures. Art is a cornerstone of the museum, as would be expected, with works from artists across feudal Japan, ancient Persia and - unsurprisingly - the Italian Renaissance. However, it’s not just history that takes the stage here. Louvre Abu Dhabi is dedicated to promoting artistic voices across the region, and hosts regular exhibitions to spotlight local and emerging contemporary artists.
As part of its vision for developing the future of Arab culture, Louvre Abu Dhabi also has a Children’s Museum with activities, workshops and themed experiences to foster curiosity and a love of self-expression in young minds. One of the most recent experiences, ‘Picturing the Cosmos’, focuses on how our understanding of space has developed across centuries.
Many of the museum’s exhibits, especially the European ones, are on loan from the Louvre in Paris. Others are meticulously sourced and acquired through a partnership with France Museums, a consulting agency that represents 17 of the top French cultural entities. Historical significance and provenance are among the factors considered by the museum when considering a potential international exhibit, with strict protocols that need to be followed before approval.
A Celebration of Regional Architecture
The design for Louvre Abu Dhabi was conceptualised by Jean Nouvel, a multiple award-winning French architect whose portfolio includes notable commercial buildings and landmarks across Europe, Asia, and North America. The focal point of the design is a vast metallic dome, a shape chosen because of its prominence in early Middle Eastern and European architecture. Because of its use across various cultures, it also serves as a visual metaphor that represents the museum’s universality.
The dome’s design evokes a common motif in Islamic art with a geometric pattern of interlocking stars. The stars are laid out across eight layers, with perforations that create a unique effect known as the ‘Rain of Light’, mimicking the effect of sunlight filtering through the fronds of a palm tree. Despite its immense size - and a weight equivalent to the Eiffel Tower - the dome’s clever design gives it the impression of floating above the museum. It also serves an important environmental function, reducing the energy consumption of the buildings below it.
Divided across 55 buildings, 23 of which are galleries, Louvre Abu Dhabi is purposefully designed to resemble a seafaring hamlet with many of its buildings modeled after traditional low-rise residences.
Abu Dhabi’s Cultural Renaissance
As the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi is the seat of its governmental and administrative power. It also serves as a custodian for the nation’s heritage and culture, preserving ancient traditions, customs and art forms. In more recent years, Abu Dhabi has diversified its cultural footprint in a bid to establish itself as a global centre of the arts and to be as impactful a destination for the Middle East as a city like Paris is for Europe. Louvre Abu Dhabi was part of the first phase of that cultural renaissance and has ushered in a new wave of artistic expression across the UAE, which can be seen in the rise of art events over the past decade.
This neighbourhood will be the site of several different museums, including the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi which is set to open in 2025. It will also be home to Zayed National Museum and the Natural History Museum of Abu Dhabi, both of which will provide a unique window into the history of the UAE. At the heart of it all is Manarat Al Saadiyat, an institution designed to foster local creative talent through workshops, exhibitions and other unique initiatives.
Abu Dhabi has become a pioneer of art in the Middle East, with a vision that unites diverse cultural perspectives and showcases both traditional and contemporary media. Through innovative design, international partnerships and investments in powerhouse brands like Sotheby’s, the emirate will continue to redefine art not just regionally, but on a global scale.
