Art Museum

Louvre Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Louvre Abu Dhabi is an art museum in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. 18 works from its collection are in this catalog, including Jean Baptiste Camille Corot and Jean Honoré Fragonard.

About Louvre Abu Dhabi

The Louvre Abu Dhabi (Arabic: اللوفر أبوظبي, romanized: al-lūfr ʔabū ẓaby; French: Louvre Abou Dabi) is an art museum located on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It runs under an agreement between the UAE and France, signed in March 2007, that allows it to use the Louvre's name until 2047, and has been described by the Louvre as "France's largest cultural project abroad." It is approximately 24,000 square metres (260,000 ft2) in size, with 8,000 square metres (86,000 ft2) of galleries, making it the largest art museum in the Arabian Peninsula. Artworks from around the world are showcased at the museum, with stated intent to bridge the gap between Eastern and Western art.

Overview & Identity

The Louvre Abu Dhabi is a national museum of the United Arab Emirates located on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi. Established through a landmark agreement between the French and Emirati governments, it operates as an independent Emirati entity rather than a branch of the Parisian Louvre. The museum's mission is to present a universal history of humanity, fostering a dialogue between civilizations by showcasing art and artifacts from diverse cultures and time periods, rather than focusing solely on Western art.

It opened to the public in November 2017 and quickly became the most visited museum in the region, attracting over 2 million visitors by 2019.

History & Founding Agreement

The concept for the museum was first proposed by the UAE to the French government in 2005, with formal negotiations initiated in June of that year. The definitive partnership and licensing agreement was signed on March 6, 2007, by representatives of both governments. This thirty-year agreement, extended to 2047 in 2023, allows the use of the 'Louvre' name until 2037.

Under the terms, Abu Dhabi committed to paying €400 million for the name license, €190 million for art loans, €75 million for special exhibitions, and €165 million for management advice. The agreement prohibits the creation of similar Louvre-branded operations in other Gulf states and the Middle East.

Architecture & Design

Designed by renowned French architect Jean Nouvel, the museum is the first of the planned cultural institutions to be completed on Saadiyat Island. The building is situated on the waterfront and is crowned by a massive, 7,000-tonne dome. This distinctive latticed dome is engineered to filter the bright desert light, creating a 'rain of light' effect on the museum's plaza and interior spaces.

The construction involved a complex consortium and began with piling works in 2009, with the main phase starting in 2013. The structure includes four concrete pillars supporting the dome and two basement levels.

Collection & Curatorial Strategy

The museum's collection strategy is built on the concept of a 'universal history of humanity,' aiming to show connections between different civilizations rather than a linear Western narrative. It features works loaned from 13 major French museums, including the Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, and Centre Pompidou. The collection spans from prehistoric times to the present, incorporating art from the Islamic world, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

In 2012, the museum began acquiring photography, with early purchases including works by contemporary artists. The policy emphasizes excellence and high standards, with a commitment to avoiding censorship of subjects by partners.

Inauguration & Opening

Although initially expected to open in 2012, the museum faced a decade of delays due to construction complexities and negotiations. The Louvre Abu Dhabi was officially inaugurated on November 8, 2017, by French President Emmanuel Macron and UAE leaders. Prior to the full opening, the museum engaged the public through temporary exhibitions, including 'Birth of a Museum' which opened in 2014 at the Louvre in Paris and later in Abu Dhabi.

The opening marked a significant milestone in the UAE's cultural development, establishing Saadiyat Island as a major global cultural hub.