Louvre Abu Dhabi, a beacon of cultural unity, is set to illuminate the shared narratives of humanity with its much-anticipated 2024-25 season.

This landmark museum, renowned for transcending individual civilisations, epochs, and locales, will once again celebrate its multicultural heritage through a series of enthralling exhibitions and events beginning in September.

The new season promises to captivate art enthusiasts and culture connoisseurs worldwide with three major exhibitions, each designed to foster artistic dialogue and a deeper appreciation for global cultures. Among the season’s highlights is a remarkable masterpiece on loan: the Pyxis in the name of Al-Mughira, a testament to the museum’s dedication to showcasing extraordinary art from different eras and regions.

Beyond the exhibitions, visitors can look forward to a vibrant array of programmes and projects designed to enrich their experience. Educational workshops, interactive installations, and engaging events will invite active participation and dialogue, making the museum a dynamic hub of creativity and cultural exchange.

“Each exhibition at Louvre Abu Dhabi is a testament to our dedication towards offering unique and enriching experiences to our visitors,” said Manuel Rabaté, Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi. “We are proud to present the best of the worlds of the East and the West with these upcoming exhibitions, which not only celebrate the rich heritage of art but also encourage dialogue and appreciation for diverse artistic expressions. Our new season further solidifies the museum’s commitment to fostering dialogue, promoting cultural understanding and celebrating the beauty of human creativity.”

Dr Guilhem André, Acting Director of Scientific, Curatorial, and Collections Management at Louvre Abu Dhabi, added: “Our aim is to create a platform that transcends boundaries and brings people together through the universal language of art. These exhibitions will provide visitors with an opportunity to explore different artistic movements, cultures and narratives, fostering a deeper understanding of our shared human experiences.”

The three upcoming exhibitions at Louvre Abu Dhabi are:

Louvre Abu Dhabi Art Here 2024 and the Richard Mille Art Prize (20 September - 15 December 2024)

The fourth edition of Louvre Abu Dhabi Art Here, in partnership with the luxury Swiss watchmaking brand Richard Mille, will be curated by Simon Njami, a renowned independent curator, lecturer, writer and art critic who has curated many international exhibitions showcasing African contemporary artists. This year’s edition is inspired by the concept of Awakenings, and will be expanding to North Africa, alongside the GCC. This expansion is attributed to the expertise of curator Njami in the region, reflecting the museum’s commitment to showcasing diverse artistic voices. Shortlisted artists (nationals and residents) will have a unique opportunity to showcase their site-specific monumental artworks at Louvre Abu Dhabi. One winner will be chosen, by an esteemed jury panel, as the recipient of the esteemed Richard Mille Art Prize in December 2024.

Post-Impressionism: Beyond Appearances (16 October 2024 - 9 February 2025)

In partnership with Musée d’Orsay, Louvre Abu Dhabi’s Post-Impressionism: Beyond Appearances exhibition will build upon the success of its major exhibition Impressionism: Pathways to Modernity. This exhibition will delve into the fascinating period known as Post-Impressionism, focusing specifically on the years between 1886 and 1905. These two decades were a time of immense artistic innovation and experimentation, marking the transition from Impressionism to the explosive emergence of the “fauves” at the Salon d’Automne.

The exhibition will be curated by Jean-Rémi Touzet, Conservator for Paintings at the Musée d’Orsay, and Jérôme Farigoule, Chief Curator at Louvre Abu Dhabi, with the support of Aisha Alahmadi, Curatorial Assistant at Louvre Abu Dhabi.

One of the highlights of this exhibition is Vincent van Gogh’s masterpiece, Van Gogh’s Bedroom in Arles. This iconic artwork – which depicts van Gogh’s bedroom in the “Yellow House” in Arles, where he set up his studio and lived from September 1888 – represents the essence of Post-Impressionism and its departure from traditional artistic conventions.

Other key highlights from the Arab world are two masterpieces by Egyptian artist Georges Hanna Sabbagh: The artist and his family at La Clarté (1920) and The Sabbaghs in Paris (1921).

Kings and Queens of Africa: Forms and Figures of Power (29 January 2025 - 25 May 2025)

Organised in partnership with musée du quai Branly, the Kings and Queens of Africa: Forms and Figures of Power celebrates the rich history and cultural heritage of African royalty by showcasing carefully selected material extracts from various regions of the continent.

With a collection of around 300 objects, including external loans, this exhibition will deliver a diverse and intriguing exploration of the culture and beliefs that are intertwined with the lives of African kings and queens.

The exhibition will be curated by Hélène Joubert, Head Curator of the African Heritage Unit at musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac, with the support of two associate curators: Malick Ndiaye El Hadji, Curator of the Théodore Monod Museum of African Art IFAN-Cheikh Anta Diop in Dakar, Senegal, and Cindy Olohou, an independent curator, as well as Mariam AlDhaheri, Curatorial Referee at Louvre Abu Dhabi.

Among the many unique artworks set to be on display is an Ife Head from Nigeria (12th – 14th century) on loan from musée du quai Branly. The exhibition aims to provide visitors with an enlightening experience that will deepen their understanding and appreciation of African royalty.

Significant Loan from Musée du Louvre

Louvre Abu Dhabi is set to unveil a thrilling array of new acquisitions and loans in its permanent galleries for the year. These additions include ancient, modern and contemporary masterpieces from around the world. A significant highlight and splendid Islamic artwork is the Pyxis in the name of Al-Mughira, on loan from the department of Islamic Arts at Musée du Louvre. This exquisite artefact, dating back over a millennium, will be on display at Louvre Abu Dhabi for the first time.