Les arts de l'Islam au musée du Louvre

Official catalogue of the new presentation of the arts of Islam at the Louvre, a collection enriched by the contribution of 3,500 works from the Museum of Decorative Arts. On 2,800 square meters spread over two levels, the new Department of Islamic Arts will unveil on September 14, 2012 its architecture entrusted to the talented Mario Bellini and Rudy Ricciotti, and will be located at the heart of the Denon wing, along the Seine. Its glass structure in the shape of a wave will clearly stand out from the other historic facades of the Louvre Museum. Co-published with the Louvre Museum. In 2003, the Louvre Museum created a department dedicated to the arts of Islam. With more than 14,000 objects and admirably supplemented by the 3,500 works deposited by the Museum of Decorative Arts - many of which are unpublished - the museum's collection bears witness to the richness and diversity of the artistic creations of the lands of Islam. Three thousand works from this collection, among the richest and most beautiful in the world in this field, will be exhibited in 2012 in new spaces that will be delicately inserted between the restored facades of the Visconti courtyard. The project of the architects Rudy Ricciotti and Mario Bellini represents the largest construction site at the museum since the works of the Grand Louvre, and the visitor will be able to admire from 2012 this setting surmounted by a "dragonfly wing", a golden and woven glass cover by a fine undulating metal network. These new rooms will offer an open space on two levels; the museographic route will allow the wide deployment of works from 1,300 years of history and a territory covering three continents, from Spain to northern India. The book that will be published on this occasion will present a wide selection of more than 400 works installed in these new spaces. While following a chronological thread, the works are grouped according to themes that are found from one chapter to the next: poetry and prose, ornament, calligraphy, city, objects and architecture, as well as an entire chapter devoted to the art of the book. The authors, curators and scholars of the Department of Islamic Arts will share their knowledge with the widest audience, while magnificent photographs will illustrate a reference and delightful work. Co-published with the Louvre Museum.