News
Friday, September 21, 2012
French museum ‘Louvre’ opens its Islamic Arts Department
ISLAMABAD: The renowned French museum ‘Louvre’ has opened an entirely renovated department, providing an appropriate space for showcasing the rich culture of Islamic civilisations . The entire department, an edifice of glass and metal, extends beneath the historical facades to create three levels, one of which would be used to display objects that are highly sensitive to light, while the other will house technical facilities and original presentations.
In his opening speech, President François Hollande reminded his audience of the variety of epochs, locations and trends of Islamic arts. He noted the richness and multiplicity of Islamic civilisations, all of them being sophisticated and influential. “As presented in the Louvre, the Islamic arts are a proof of and space for liberty, originating from religion to give human creation all its strength,” he said.
The display of the department’s new rooms would provide an overview of artistic creation from the dawn of Islam in the seventh century to the early nineteenth century, encompassing decorative arts, objects, miniatures, textiles and carpets, components of architecture, and so on.
Based on the juxtaposition of various cultures and the constant exchange between the different regions of the Islamic world, the installation will highlight both the homogeneity of Islamic art and its extraordinary creativity with regard to common themes expressed throughout the centuries.
A sustained acquisition policy has enriched the collections in areas that had been less represented until now, such as the Maghreb and Mughal South Asia, thus offering a more comprehensive view of the art of the last great Islamic empires.
For more information
and to view the collections: www.louvre.fr/en/departments. prCourtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk