This website requires JavaScript.

Share

Society

4.15.2019

The 5 most beautiful works of art in the Louvre Abu Dhabi

Inaugurated in November 2017, the Louvre Museum in Abu Dhabi, whose ambition was to become a universal cultural centre “bringing together icons of art reflecting the collective genius of humanity” according to Sheikh Mohammed ben Zayed Al-Nahyane, seems to have kept its promises to view the beautiful works it has housed within its walls.

The young man’s head, sweaty hands: study of Rembrandt’s figure of Christ

View this post on Instagram

A premiere in the Gulf! We have acquired a rare painting by #Rembrandt for our collection. Come and visit our next exhibition 'Rembrandt, Vermeer & the Dutch Golden Age' starting 14 February. #MastersOfToday #Rembrandt2019 📸 Mohamed Somji ___ لأوّل مرة في الخليج العربي، يسرّنا الإعلان عن استحواذ المتحف على لوحة نادرة للرسام رامبرانت فان راين، ستُضاف إلى مجموعته الدائمة‪. ‬تفضّل بزيارة معرضنا القادم ‪"‬رامبرانت وفيرمير والعصر الذهبي الهولندي"‪ ‬ابتداءً من ‪14 ‬فبراير لتأمّل هذه اللوحة الرائعة.

A post shared by Louvre Abu Dhabi (@louvreabudhabi) on

The Louvre Abu Dhabi recently acquired a painting by the famous Dutch artist Rembrandt, “Tête de jeune homme, avec les mains jointes: étude de la figure de Christ”. A rare 17th century oil sketch from a series of sketches entitled “The Face of Jesus”. Rembrandt’s painting, which has been on display so far in the house of the late artist in Amsterdam, and which can be seen until May 18, is one of the museum’s most remarkable pieces. If this painting is one of the beautiful works that the Louvre Abu Dhabi has the honour of hosting in its den, it is the only Rembrandt painting to have travelled to the Gulf, which gives it the status of an exceptional work.

Lacemaker, by Vermeer

A second painter is currently in the spotlight at the Louvre Abu Dhabi: Johannes Vermeer. For the first time in the Middle East, the exhibition “Rembrandt, Vermeer and the Dutch Golden Age” unveils two unique paintings by the Dutch painter, including “La Dentellière”. If it is hung in the museum for the first time in 300 years alongside another painting by the same author, “The young woman sitting in a Virginal”, “La Dentellière” is the painting that brought Vermeer back into the spotlight in the 17th century, which gradually fell into oblivion. A phoenix work whose visitors will be able to contemplate and analyze the play of shadows and details left by the painter, until May 18.

See also

The « exquisite treasures » of the Riyadh National museum

Salvator Mundi, by Leonardo da Vinci

Known as the most expensive painting in the world (awarded $450.3 million in 2017), “Salvator Mundi” by Italian Leonardo da Vinci was hosted by the Louvre Abu Dhabi in November 2017. While the identity of the buyer who entrusted it to the museum remains unclear, the arrival of the painting in the universal cultural centre has caused a lot of discussion. “Salvator Mundi” has a history that makes it a unique work. Painted around the 16th century and reappeared at the end of the 19th century, it was only in 2005 that it was associated with Leonardo da Vinci. This jewel has given a beautiful spotlight to the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

Self-portrait, by Vincent Van Gogh

Another work very popular in the hearts of art lovers, one of Vincent Van Gogh’s “Self-Portrait”. Exhibited in early 2018 in Abu Dhabi, the canvas is one of 40 self-portraits by the Dutch painter, painted between 1886 and 1889. A true icon of art after his death, Vincent Van Gogh, who did not sell any paintings during his lifetime, fits perfectly into the project of the new Louvre: to become a universal museum bringing together icons of art reflecting the collective genius of Humanity.

La Belle Ferronnière, by Leonardo da Vinci

A real star at the inauguration of the Louvre on the Arabian Peninsula, Leonardo da Vinci’s “La Belle Ferronnière” is one of 300 works on loan from French museums, including the Louvre Paris. Painted at the end of the 15th century on a walnut wood panel, this woman’s portrait is famous despite the limited information available about the creation of this work. It is in this sense that the canvas fascinates and gives rise to a lot of speculation about the identity of this young woman. By hosting the painting, the Louvre Abu Dhabi attracted many visitors seeking to unlock the secret of “La Belle Ferronnière”.

Published on 15 April 2019

#Museum