“The National Museum is showcasing two distinctive pieces from the Louvre Abu Dhabi collection for one year, as part of the collaboration between the National Museum and the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
The two pieces consist of an ‘Incised Two-Tone Bowl’ adorned with the beauty of Arabic calligraphy, and an iconic artwork ‘Homage to the Square,’ reflecting contemporary abstract art. This provides visitors with the opportunity to embark on an exploratory journey into the world of Islamic art and modern art, contemplating the magnificent creations that embody the fusion of art, culture, and history.
The Incised Two-Tone Bowl is exhibited in the ‘Greatness of Islam’ hall, dating back to the Safavid era (10th and 11th centuries) in regions such as Khorasan and Transoxiana, traversed by ancient Silk Road routes. The bowl is adorned with some Arabic proverbs reflecting the wisdom of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib and some hadiths.
As for the artwork ‘Homage to the Square,’ it is displayed in the ‘Oman and the World’ hall, created by the painter Josef Albers, proficient in color relationships. This iconic artwork was created in 1963, starting Albers’ series of works ‘Homage to the Square’ in 1950 in the United States. It embodies his discoveries in color theory and the optical effects of color through simplified yet complex formations of interlocking squares.