The Department of Islamic Arts: A Precious and Unique Collection

Opened in 2012 , the Louvre's Department of Islamic Art houses one of the world's largest collections of Islamic art, spanning more than 1,300 years of history. It brings together pieces from Islamic civilizations from Spain to India, including rare and precious objects such as ceramics, textiles, manuscripts and goldwork.

An artistic treasure

This department, designed to reflect the richness of Islamic cultures, is a true invitation to travel through the history of Islamic art, in a modern and elegant architectural setting.

Discover contemporary creations inspired by this artistic heritage in our online art gallery .

The Louvre's Department of Islamic Art is one of the museum's newest and most fascinating, housing an exceptional collection of works from various regions of the Islamic world, from the 7th to the 19th century. This department reflects the cultural and artistic diversity of Islam through objects of great richness.

Creation of the department:

• The Department of Islamic Arts was inaugurated in 2012 , after several years of preparation. It is located in the Visconti Courtyard , under a spectacular undulating glass roof that was added to house this collection.
• The modern architecture of this glass roof, designed to symbolize a floating veil, offers harmony between the classical buildings of the Louvre and the contemporary exhibitions.

A vast and varied collection:

• The department presents more than 3,000 works from a vast territory that extends from Muslim Spain to India, via Persia, the Ottoman Empire and the Maghreb.
• It contains ceramics , carpets , jewelry , weapons , manuscripts , and architectural elements such as fragments of mosques, reflecting the great variety of Islamic artistic expressions.

Emblematic works:

• Among the most remarkable pieces is the famous Baptistery of Saint Louis , a magnificent brass basin inlaid with gold and silver, made in Syria in the 14th century. This masterpiece of Islamic art served as a baptistery for the kings of France.
• Another major work is a finely carved wooden door from a 9th-century Egyptian mosque, an impressive example of Islamic architectural art.

Symbolism and influence:

• The Louvre's Department of Islamic Arts is essential to better understand the history and evolution of Islamic arts over the centuries. It also shows the cultural exchanges that took place between the Islamic world and Europe, whether through trade routes, conquests or intellectual exchanges.

A meeting between history and modernity:

• The modern space of the Visconti Courtyard, with its glass roof, is designed to create a dialogue between the works on display and the surrounding architecture of the Louvre. This arrangement offers a unique experience where past meets present, allowing visitors to appreciate the beauty and complexity of Islamic arts in a contemporary setting.

An enrichment for the Louvre:

• This department represents a major cultural wealth for the Louvre, reflecting the importance of Islamic civilizations in world history. It also contributes to the diversity of the museum's collections, highlighting works that were sometimes overlooked.

The Department of Islamic Arts is therefore an open door to the diversity, beauty and artistic innovation of the Islamic world, a true treasure within the Louvre.