On Saturday 11 November, Louvre Abu Dhabi opened its doors to the public for the first time. The highly-anticipated museum welcomed thousands of visitors to see the exceptional architecture and the masterpieces displayed throughout the galleries.
Louvre Abu Dhabi is a museum city (medina) which combines traditional Arabic inspiration with contemporary design and engineering. Waterfront promenades overlook the sea underneath the iconic dome, comprised of 7,850 unique metal stars set in a complex geometric pattern. When sunlight filters through, it creates a cinematic ‘rain of light’, reminiscent of the overlapping palm trees in the UAE’s oases.
In addition to the permanent galleries and a 270-seat auditorium, Louvre Abu Dhabi features special exhibition space, a Children’s Museum, boutique, café and a public park.
Louvre Abu Dhabi was born out of a unique intergovernmental agreement between the governments of Abu Dhabi and France in 2007. As part of the agreement, Louvre Abu Dhabi has access to expertise and training from 17 French partner institutions, as well as loans from 13 leading French museums for 10 years, and will benefit from special exhibitions organised by these institutions for 15 years.
Louvre Abu Dhabi has developed a rich collection of works originating from throughout human history and around the world, brought together to highlight universal themes and influences. To date, Louvre Abu Dhabi has acquired more than 600 artworks, exhibited alongside 300 works on loan from 13 leading French institutions.
www.louvreabudhabi.ae
