Cartier is a luxury house that never shies away from greatness.
With this in mind, the luxury house brings a groundbreaking to the UAE entitled “Cartier, Islamic Inspiration and Modern Design” at the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
Opened by His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Louvre Abu Dhabi, the new exhibition, which will run until the end of March, examines the impact of Islamic art on Cartier’s design from the turn of the 20th century to the present.
the history
A true Persian trend emerged in Paris around the turn of the 20th century as a result of the organisation of significant exhibitions devoted to Islamic art and the large-scale importation of works. Especially Persian and Indian paintings and manuscripts.
The artistic traditions Louis Cartier, grandson of the Maison’s founder, encountered in the Parisian art market greatly captivated him. He added the most recent publications on Islamic art and architecture to the study library at the Maison in an effort to seek inspiration. The designers at the Maison would have access to a seemingly limitless supply of patterns from this library.
Louis Cartier started creating his own collection of Islamic art in the 1910s. He made it available to the Maison’s designers. His brother Jacques Cartier visited the Arabian Gulf region in 1911, with the goal of researching the pearl business and strengthening ties with Maharajas in India. Finding patterns and shapes in literature, art and architecture opened up a new world of contemporary artistic expression, extending all the way to Jeanne Toussaint’s creative direction and even today.
Pierre Rainero, Image, Style and Heritage Director at Cartier said, “Islamic art has played a significant and structural impact on Cartier’s creative language since the beginning of the 20th century.” He added, “This vocabulary continues to grow even today, thanks to the richness of geometric patterns and their many combinations.”
About the Cartier, Islamic Inspiration And Modern Design At The Louvre
Judith Henon-Raynaud, Chief Curator and Deputy Director of the Department of Islamic Art at the Musée du Louvre and Évelyne Possémé, Former Chief Curator of Ancient and Modern Jewellery at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, are co-curators of the exhibition. With help from Fakhera Alkindi, the Louvre Abu Dhabi’s Senior Curatorial Assistant. The project Cartier and Islamic Art: In Search of Modernity (Paris-Dallas 2021–2022) is the foundation for this show.
Through over 400 objects from the collections of the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Musée du Louvre and Cartier Collection and Archives, the exhibition’s chapters explore the sources of inspiration and creative process. As well as exceptional loans from Petit Palais, Musée des Beaux-Arts de la ville de Paris and other lenders. The objects range from masterpieces of Islamic art to jewellery, drawings, design sketches, miniatures, textiles, photographs and archival material.
Manuel Rabaté, Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi, said: “As the first universal museum in the Arab World, Louvre Abu Dhabi seeks to broaden our visitors’ perspectives by bringing unique art and cultural experiences to Abu Dhabi.”
He added, “The Cartier, Islamic Inspiration and Modern Design exhibition at Louvre Abu Dhabi is a testament to a longstanding and successful partnership between our institution and Cartier.”
What to expect
The temporary exhibit, located a short distance from the main exhibition galleries, is an immersive digital space. Depicting creative interpretations of the actual construction of Cartier’s major pieces as well as the inspiration behind them. Within this virtual world, two “infinity rooms” will envelop guests in dynamic patterns, providing an immersive 180-degree visual experience. With the digital world and the exhibition scenography created by the New York-based design firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro. Visitors will be taken on Jacques Cartier’s voyage through artwork and photo projections on the museum’s façade. Which will transport them from Marseille to Agra, Bombay to Muscat and Dubai.
The Louvre Abu Dhabi will host a varied cultural and educational program in addition to the Cartier, Islamic Inspiration and Modern Design exhibition. This program will include an in-depth discussion with the exhibition curators. As well as a documentary film screening followed by a community discussion and guided tours. Additionally, masterclasses, a family weekend and an activity booklet.
For more information and to book tickets, visit louvreabudhabi.ae or call +971 600 56 55 66
