Today's Edition
Abu Dhabi (Aletihad) - Louvre Abu Dhabi is presenting Cartier, Islamic Inspiration and Modern Design, a ground-breaking exhibition, until March 24 next year. Jointly organised by Louvre Abu Dhabi, Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Musée du Louvre and France Muséums, with the support of Maison Cartier, the exhibition will explore the influence of the Islamic arts on Cartier’s designs.
Luxury goods and arts conglomerate Cartier is known for its design creativity from the beginning of the 20th century to the present day. Europe was becoming increasingly fascinated with Islamic art at the turn of the 20th century, as witnessed by the growing art market, academic research and dedicated exhibitions that facilitated the introduction of Middle Eastern and South Asian artistic traditions to European audiences.
Louis Cartier, grandson of the founder Alfred, was deeply intrigued by these artistic traditions that he discovered in Parisian libraries and that led him into gathering a significant collection of Islamic art and encouraging a modern aesthetic in the company’s creations as early as 1904.
In 1911, his brother Jacques Cartier travelled to the Arabian Gulf to observe the pearl market and also to India to study the precious stones market, bringing back ancient and contemporary jewels that would be influential for years to come. The exhibition’s chapters take the visitor on a journey exploring the jewellers’ sources of inspiration and their creative process through over 400 objects from the collections of the forementioned museums, Cartier, as well as exceptional loans from Petit Palais, Musée des Beaux-Arts de la ville de Paris and other lenders, including masterpieces of Islamic art, fine jewellery, drawings, design sketches, miniatures, textiles, photographs and archival material.
Highlights from Louvre Abu Dhabi’s collection displayed in the exhibition include a wooden Carved ivory panel with scrolls (1334 – 1339, Cairo, Egypt); a Dish with a blue Saz leaf, dotted tulips and roses (ca. 1580, Iznik, Turkey); a Glass vessel in the shape of a mosque lamp by Joseph Brocard (1871, Paris, France).
Masterpieces from Musée des Arts Décoratifs include a Basin by Théodore Deck (1863, Paris, France) and a binding and title page of the Rubaiyat by Omar Khayyam (1912, Paris, France). Highlights of loans from Musée du Louvre include a Fragment of a mosaic panel with geometric decoration (14 - 15th century), Three tiles from a wall panel (1550 – 1600, Damascus, Syria), Pen boxes said to have belonged to Mirza Muhammad Munshi and a Pen box in the name of Shah Abbas (late 16th – early 17th century, Deccan, India) and a Casket (19th century, Iran).
Cartier is lending special works including pieces from Cartier Collection such as a Brooch (Cartier Paris, 1913), a Bandeau, (Cartier New York, special order, 1924), a Vanity Case (Cartier Paris, 1924), a Cigarette Case (Cartier Paris, 1930) and a Hindu necklace (Cartier Paris, 1936). Le Petit Palais – Musée des Beaux-arts de la Ville de Paris is lending a collection of design sketches by Charles Jacqueau, a pivotal designer to Maison Cartier, including drawings of a tiara, study of motifs and studies of Islamic metalwares.
A temporary exhibit in the vicinity features an immersive digital space. Visitors can explore Islamic patterns, witness the craftsmen’s design process, starting from Islamic inspiration, progressing through original design sketches and culminating in the final construction of Cartier jewelry pieces.
In two infinity rooms, you can immerse yourself in animated patterns, offering a captivating 180-degree visual experience within this digital realm. On the museum’s façade, projections of artworks and photos from Jacques Cartier’s trips – Marseille, Agra, Bombay, Muscat, Muharraq and Dubai – will take visitors on an inspiring journey.
These visuals, once the source of Cartier’s workshop creativity, adorn the museum’s architecture beneath its iconic dome. Louvre Abu Dhabi will offer a diverse cultural and educational programme during the current exhibition. The museum will collaborate with international and regional speakers and performers to create a cultural experience reflecting the array of cultures and mediums in the art of the Islamic World.
The programme will feature an in-depth talk with the exhibition curators, art-dialogue sessions featuring world-renowned speakers, a documentary film screening followed by a community discussion, a premier multi-sensory performance inspired by a shared history between two worlds coming together through music and performance on one stage. Educational activities include guided tours, masterclasses, a family weekend and an activity booklet.
The public will get the chance to explore the exhibition through different channels, all available in Arabic, English and French. Visitors can join the exhibition’s curators in an audio tour through the exhibition podcast, which will be available on many streaming platforms, Louvre Abu Dhabi’s website and mobile application.
A catalogue highlighting the various themes, sections and objects will also be available in three languages.
