SimplyAbuDhabi XXXIII

4 8 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I The original Louvre in Paris opened in 1793, during the French Revolution, and from the very beginning was intended to provide inspiration for contemporary art. As an ancient royal residence, the Louvre is inextricably linked to French history and culture. As a universal museum, its collections, among the best in the world, span many millennia and miles, from the Americas to Asia. As one of the largest museums on earth, the Louvre is home to 38,000 artworks, including universally admired works such as the Mona Lisa, theWinged Victory of Samothrace and the Venus de Milo. In this grand tradition, the 21st century ushers in a new era of collaboration in the form of Louvre Abu Dhabi, as the collections and expertise of the French cultural institutions merge for the first time ever with the art, culture, and tradition of the United Arab Emirates. With support and contributions from AFM—such as training of the museum’s professionals, the coordination of loans fromFrench museums, and the organisation of temporary exhibitions—this innovative cross- cultural endeavour is a truly unique realisation of the power of art to unite the world. The Galleries One of the primary aims of Louvre Abu Dhabi is to showcase the cultural achievements of mankind, from prehistory to the present day, from theWestern traditions to the Arabic world. From the start, this idea was the driving force behind both the art works chosen for the collections as well as for how they could come together in the museum. As a result, the galleries are not separated by geography—as they are in many museums—but are organised in chronological order. This approach asks viewers to see artistic developments from across the globe side by side, on an equal footing, with no one region or style considered more “important” than another. For centuries, whether discussing the classical Greek and Roman worlds, the Renaissance, or abstract painting, the emphasis has always been on the value, and ultimately, the modernity of Western art, while non-Western cultures have been considered “other” and ancient. Louvre Abu Dhabi is making an invaluable contribution to dismantling this misconception by creating a spectacular opportunity for the world to re-evaluate the vast cultural legacy of the Arab-Muslim tradition, to see it in a new light, to understand its modernity and vitality. The effect is an integrated world view that induces respect, curiosity, learning and self-reflection. This uniquely curated narrative is organised into 12 chapters, which span across the museum’s galleries.