A standing-room-only crowd, in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, graced the Auditorium of the Louvre Abu Dhabi on November 20 to hear the distinguished panel of scholars who had authored The Farjam Collection Masterpieces (pub Sept 2024, Yale University Press) speak about the Islamic and Modern and Contemporary content of this 4-volume publication.
The launch of these books was warmly welcomed by museum director Manuel Rabate, and the contributing scholars as an invaluable resource for research and public education, and also as testament to the extraordinary heritage of the region. Moderated by Dr Venetia Porter, Emeritus Fellow of the British Museum, the panel included Dr Linda Komaroff of LACMA, Dr Nada Shabout Professor of Art History at University of North Texas, Dr Mariet Westermann Director of the Guggenheim Museum, and Dr Julian Raby, former Director at the Smithsonian.
A key point made was the importance of private collections for the complementary study of art, given the present limitations being experienced at national institutions. More than ever, private foundations and initiatives should be seen as allies not rivals of large institutions, and the role of the private collector utilized and celebrated.
