Louvre Abu Dhabi announces an exhibition of its latest acquisitions at Manarat Al Saadiyat

The artworks going on display were acquired in 2014 as part of the continuing acquisitions for Louvre Abu Dhabi.

Kufic Qur’an leaf, one of the artworks that will go on display as part of the Louvre Abu Dhabi Stories exhibition opening at Manarat Al Saadiyat on June 21. Courtesy Jonathan Gibbons / Louvre Abu DhabShow more

In mere weeks the public will be able to see the latest additions to the permanent collection of the Louvre Abu Dhabi, which is still under construction.

The pieces will be shown this summer across two themed mini-exhibitions to be hosted in Manarat Al Saadiyat, the exhibition space already on the island.

The first show, Louvre Abu Dhabi Stories: Al Qalam, which opens during Ramadan, will focus on the art of the written word. The primary piece, which Mohamed Abdulla Al Mansoori, a researcher with the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the curator of the exhibition, describes as "the hero", is a bifolio or folded page of the Quran in Kufic script from the late ninth century.

“It is a mesmerising piece, not just because of its quality and illumination, but also because of its relation to the holy month of Ramadan, the time when the exhibition will be displayed,” says Al Mansoori.

Also on display will be a collection of Indian miniature paintings from Lucknow that are inscribed with calligraphy and delicately finished on gauche paper and a French manuscript of Dictes and Sayings of the Philosophers. Al Mansoori describes this text as extremely important not only because it translated from the original script by a Syrian scholar, but also because it went on to become the first printed book in England. "It highlights the transfer of knowledge between different cultures," he says.

The second show, Louvre Abu Dhabi Stories: Immortal Figures, is a celebration of sculptures from around the world. It includes a wooden Uli statue from New Ireland in Papua New Guinea from the 18th or 19th century. The intricate carvings were said to hold the spirits of deceased chieftains and were kept as talismans to ward off evil spirits.

Also on display will be a Nepalese gilt copper figure of Maitreya, a Buddhist figure of worship that dates from the 12th century, and an Italian bust of Saint Peter Martyr made of glazed polychrome terracotta that was carved by Renaissance sculptor Andrea della Robbia in Florence in 1490.

A rare, high-quality portrait from a distinctive series known as the Fayum mummy portraits will be part of both displays. From ancient Egypt, this painting on a wooden panel was originally placed on the face of a mummy to reflect the appearance of the deceased.

Hissa Al Dhaheri, programme manager at Louvre Abu Dhabi, says: “To find a piece from this series, in this condition, is quite exceptional. This portrait will remain throughout both displays.”

Al Dhaheri also points out that this specific summer project is the first to be fully realised by the team of young Emirati professionals set to take over the full-time running of the Louvre Abu Dhabi after it opens.

“Although we are still working hand in hand with the French team, this is the first project developed solely by the Emiratis who are at the beginning of their careers. It is an exciting development.”

The museum’s permanent collection includes more than 500 works, to be bolstered by approximately 300 loans from French institutions in its opening year. Instead of compartmentalising the pieces by geographical origin or traditional chronology of art history, works from different civilisations and cultures will be placed side by side to highlight similarities and differences in common themes.

Louvre Abu Dhabi, with its striking architecture, complete with a geometric lace dome, was designed by Pritzker Prize- winning architect Jean Nouvel.

• Louvre Abu Dhabi Stories: Al Qalam will run from June 21 to July 25 and Louvre Abu Dhabi Stories: Immortal Figures will run from July 28 to August 30 at Manarat Al Saadiyat. Ramadan hours are 9am to 2pm and 8.30pm to 11.30pm. After Ramadan, the exhibitions will be open from 9am to 8pm. Public programmes and workshops will be held to coincide with the display. Full details will be available soon at louvreabudhabi.ae