Explore centuries of art, power, and craftsmanship from a dynasty that shaped the Islamic world
Louvre Abu Dhabi has opened a new chapter in Islamic art history with its latest blockbuster exhibition, Mamluks: Legacy of an Empire.
The show transports visitors into the heart of one of the Islamic world’s most powerful and artistically rich dynasties – the Mamluk Sultanate, which reigned over Egypt, Syria, and a vast expanse of territory encompassing the most significant Islamic holy sites from 1250 to 1517.
Bringing together more than 270 exceptional artworks from 34 world-class museums and institutions across 13 countries, this sweeping exhibition offers a rare glimpse into a civilization renowned for its sophistication, craftsmanship, and influence.
From intricately engraved metalwork and luminous glassware to manuscripts, textiles, ceramics, and coinage, every object reveals a story of mastery and cultural exchange.
A first for the region
Organised in partnership with Musée du Louvre and France Muséums, and supported by LG Electronics Gulf and Abu Dhabi Media Network, the exhibition marks the first major exploration of the Mamluk Sultanate in the GCC. Open to the public from 17 September 2025 to 25 January 2026, it is definitely one of the cultural highlights of the season.
Curated by Dr. Souraya Noujaim, Director of the Department of Islamic Art at Musée du Louvre, Fakhera Alkindi, Senior Curatorial Assistant at Louvre Abu Dhabi, and Dr. Carine Juvin, Curator of the Medieval Near East Collection, the exhibition reflects years of scholarly research and curatorial collaboration.
“This exhibition celebrates the artistic brilliance of one of the Islamic world’s most influential dynasties,” says Manuel Rabaté, Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi. “It reveals how the Mamluks’ world – deeply connected to Asia, Africa, and Europe – mirrors Abu Dhabi’s own cosmopolitan spirit today.”
From Paris to Abu Dhabi
Following its acclaimed debut at the Musée du Louvre in Paris in spring 2025, the exhibition makes its grand regional appearance with an expanded collection of works from across the Middle East. Highlights include loans from the British Library, Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, alongside treasures from Louvre Abu Dhabi’s own collection.
Among the masterpieces are the Basin known as the Baptistery of Saint Louis (c. 1330–1340) – a jewel of engraved metalwork and a symbol of French royal history – and the Key to the Kaaba inscribed with the name of Sultan Faraj (r. 1399–1412).
“For the first time in both Europe and the Middle East, visitors can explore the Mamluk Sultanate through exceptional international loans and groundbreaking research – from the role of women and religious minorities to the empire’s global trade networks”, say curators Dr. Noujaim and Dr. Juvin.
Immersive Encounters
With support from LG Electronics Gulf, digital storytelling takes centre stage. Five interactive screens throughout the galleries invite visitors to explore the hidden histories behind the objects through rich multimedia – fusing art, sound, and technology.
The exhibition unfolds across seven thematic sections, mapping the dynasty’s political might, architectural grandeur, and far-reaching influence. Each section immerses visitors in the vibrant cultural landscape of the Mamluk world, where Cairo, Damascus, and Jerusalem thrived as cosmopolitan hubs of art and scholarship.
Beyond the Galleries
A dynamic public programme accompanies Mamluks: Legacy of an Empire, including talks, lectures, and film screenings that explore the architecture, diplomacy, and daily life of the era. Special children’s trails, creative workshops, and drawing sessions encourage younger audiences to discover Mamluk art through play and curiosity.
For those who wish to delve deeper, a podcast dedicated to the exhibition will be available via the Louvre Abu Dhabi app and website, while the exhibition catalogue, edited by Dr. Carine Juvin, offers a beautifully illustrated and scholarly companion in Arabic, English, and French.
You can also attend the ‘Mamluks Talks Series’ on 19 November, where experts will share original research and rare insights. The first talk starts at 6pm, with historian Tim Mackintosh-Smith delving into Ibn Khaldun: The Untold Autobiography. At 7pm, it’s time for Dr. Omniya Abdel Barr, an architect and historian of Islamic art and architecture, to go into the ‘Timeless Architecture & Design of the Mamluks’. Both talks are free but you need to register online beforehand.
As Laurence des Cars, President-Director of the Musée du Louvre, noted: “This exhibition stands as a powerful testament to the strength of our partnership with Louvre Abu Dhabi. The dialogue between these masterpieces reflects not only the artistic diversity of the Mamluk era but also the enduring resonance of its cultural legacy.”
Through its meticulous storytelling and spectacular presentation, Mamluks: Legacy of an Empire invites visitors to rediscover a civilization that bridged continents – and whose artistic vision continues to inspire the modern world.
Free, booking is required, first-come first served. Book your slot here at Louvre Abu Dhabi.
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