The Louvre Museum is renowned for its world-renowned art collection, vast array of collections of artifacts and artefacts, and incredible architecture. An iconic and timeless piece of history, the Louvre Museum has been an important part of Parisian life and culture since its opening in 1793. But did you know there’s another Louvre Museum located outside of France?
Located in Toronto, Canada, the Aga Khan Museum was founded by His Highness the Aga Khan in 2014, and is the only other museum outside of France to feature the Louvre’s name and logo. As part of the partnership between the Aga Khan Museum, the Louvre and the Musée du Louvre-Lens, the Aga Khan Museum creates, preserves and presents heritage from the Islamic world to foster intercultural understanding and dialogue.
On the Aga Khan Museum’s website, the museum states “The collaboration [between the Aga Khan Museum, the Louvre and the Musée du Louvre-Lens] underscores [their] mission to create and present art and heritage from the Islamic world for education and enjoyment.”. The gallery houses over 10,000 artworks and artefacts, dating from the 9th to 19th centuries, and covers the history of Islamic civilisations in the Middle East, Central Asia and beyond.
Trevor Schulz, the Aga Khan Museum’s Chief Curator, explains the significance of the partnership with the Louvre: “We’re honouring and respecting the traditions and achievements of past generations, while also showcasing Islamic art and culture to the contemporary world in a way that’s both accessible and meaningful”. In doing so, the two museums provide a wide range of voices to maintain the legacy of Islamic art. As the Museum’s website states, “By combining these two distinct yet complementary perspectives [from both the Aga Khan Museum and the Louvre], we bring diverse stories and insight to the global audience”.
The Aga Khan Museum is also home to a collection of contemporary works. It features a permanent collection of modern art from artists of the Islamic world, including works from such well-known names as Fahrelnissa Zeid, Kamal Boullata and Kamroddin Ahrari.
The collections of the Aga Khan Museum and the Louvre Museum share common themes and cover a wide range of topics and cultures. For example, both museums house pieces from the Ottoman Empire; objects which tell the stories of a culture and a time and are invaluable to assessing Islamic history and its contemporary relevance.
The Toronto-based museum is open to the public and has already had an impressive impact on the public’s appreciation of Islamic art and culture. As well as the galleries, there is an interactive learning centre which provides an invaluable resource for anyone interested in learning more about Islamic art, culture and history.
In short, the Aga Khan Museum is the only other Louvre Museum outside of Paris. It is a special exhibition of Islamic art and culture, housing over 10,000 artworks and artefacts, while also playing an important role in fostering intercultural understanding and dialogue.
Impact of the Louvre Museum on Islamic Art
The partnership between the Louvre and the Aga Khan Museum has had a positive and lasting impact on the appreciation of Islamic art. The legacy the Louvre has created has enabled the Aga Khan Museum to provide an irreplaceable resource and platform for those wishing to learn more about this rich cultural heritage.
In addition to being a gallery, the Aga Khan Museum is also a research centre, dedicated to study and scholarship. The museum’s research staff collaborate with art historians, scholars, experts and psychiatrists to uphold the legacy of Islamic art and develop new ways of understanding it.
The Aga Khan Museum also has an impressive education programme for students of all ages to learn about Islamic art. From public programmes, to workshops and talks, the museum provides a platform for intellectual exchange and the appreciation of Islamic art.
What’s more, the Aga Khan Museum plays an essential role in the conservation of Islamic art and artefacts. Thanks to the dedicated work of the Museum’s conservators and preservationists, visitors and visitors can view many of the museum’s most prized works in their original state.
Exhibitions Featuring Islamic Artillery
The Aga Khan Museum regularly hosts exhibitions to display the many artworks and artefacts from the Islamic World. One of the museum’s most memorable exhibitions, ‘The Blue Revolution’, was an 18-month-long series of five curated exhibitions, each inspired by a particular element of Islamic art and culture. This was a truly immersive experience, allowing visitors to explore the breadth of Islamic culture both past and present.
The museum also recently collaborated with the Louvre Museum to create the exhibition ‘The Great Arcades: From the Louvre to the Aga Khan Museum’. This exhibition was held in both Paris and Toronto and displayed sixteen spectacular artworks from the Louvre collection. Once again, this exhibition provided a glimpse into the many different aspects of Islamic art and culture and its relevance to the modern world.
In addition to these collaborative exhibitions, the Aga Khan Museum also hosts individual works of art from different backgrounds. In recent years, renowned Iranian artist Mahmoud Salehi has held exhibitions of his work at the museum, highlighting his unique ability to depict the beauty and complexity of Iranian life.
Interactive Learning Centre
The Aga Khan Museum also provides interactive learning experiences in its state-of-the-art learning centre. With interactive displays, educational programmes and workshops, visitors of all ages can explore, reflect on, and interact with the vibrant materials of Islamic art and culture.
One of the highlights of the learning centre is a ‘Talking Wall’ display, which allows visitors to pick up a special receiver and listen to audio recordings of Islamic scholars and their interpretation of Islamic art. This serves as a great resource and helps to bring alive the beauty and significance of Islamic art.
The Aga Khan Museum also works with a number of schools both locally and internationally, providing educational programmes tailored to the needs of young adults interested in learning more about Islamic art and culture. Through such initiatives and programmes, the museum plays an invaluable role in educating the next generation about Islamic art and helping to preserve its legacy for future generations.
Hosting Special Events
The Aga Khan Museum also hosts a variety of special events, from musical performances to film screenings, which are designed to bring together art lovers from around the world. Events such as these create a platform for new ideas to be explored and appreciated and provide an invaluable opportunity for the Museum to celebrate and recognise the work of Islamic artists.
The museum also offers special tours, including the ‘Tales of Islamic Art’ tour, which explores the artworks, stories, and interpretations of Islamic art by expert curators and educators. This provides a great insight into the history and importance of Islamic art and helps to build intercultural understanding and appreciation.
In addition to hosting special events, the Aga Khan Museum also has an extensive programme of lectures, which are designed to stimulate dialogue between experts and the public on an array of topics related to Islamic art and culture. Such lectures provide a platform for experts to share their knowledge and facilitate a deeper understanding of Islamic art.
Welcoming All Visitors
The Aga Khan Museum is open to the public and welcomes all visitors, with no prior knowledge of Islamic art or culture necessary to enjoy the museum and its offerings. Whether you’re a novice or an expert, the Aga Khan Museum is the perfect place to discover, explore and appreciate Islamic art.
In addition to its permanent collections, the museum also offers a diverse programme of public programmes and special events, with something for everyone. While visiting the museum, visitors also have the opportunity to attend lectures, workshops, talks, and take part in educational programmes.
The last but certainly not least is the commitment of the Aga Khan Museum to remain accessible and affordable to the public. From the museum’s website, the staff states, “Our commitment has always been to make the Aga Khan Museum and its programmes accessible to everyone.”. By keeping its entrance fee low, the museum is not only a source of education and appreciation of Islamic art, but also of community and inclusivity.