Louvre Abu Dhabi has announced an exciting programme for its 2025–2026 season, bringing together historical depth, contemporary thought, and international collaboration. The museum will present a rich mix of exhibitions that explore themes from empire to modernist experimentation, all while spotlighting regional and global artists.
Here’s a breakdown of what to expect from the upcoming season.
Mamluks: Legacy of an Empire (17 September 2025 – 25 January 2026)
This major opening exhibition explores the Mamluk Sultanate (1250–1517), a dynasty that spanned Egypt, the Levant, parts of Anatolia, and the Hejaz. Through an impressive collection of artworks and artefacts, it examines Mamluk society and its extensive international connections.
Key pieces include Reception of a Venetian Delegation by the Mamluk Governor of Damascus (1500–1540) and the Baptistery of Saint Louis, on loan from the Musée du Louvre, as well as the Egyptian Carpet Decorated with Three Medallions from Louvre Abu Dhabi’s own collection.
Louvre Abu Dhabi Art Here 2025 and the Richard Mille Art Prize (8 October 2025 – 28 December 2025)
The fifth edition of this contemporary showcase features artists based in the GCC and Japan, as well as those from the broader MENA region with ties to the Gulf. Curated by Sophie Mayuko Arni, this year’s theme is Shadows, inviting artists to explore how light and dark influence visual culture.
Shortlisted artworks will be on display from October, and one artist will receive the prestigious Richard Mille Art Prize in December 2025.
Picasso, the Figure (19 January – 31 May 2026)
Organised in collaboration with the Musée national Picasso-Paris, this exhibition delves into Pablo Picasso’s evolving interpretation of the human figure across media including painting, sculpture, and drawing.
It includes key works from early Cubist compositions to later portraits, such as “Woman with a Mandolin (Miss Léonie seated)” (1911) and “Portrait of a Seated Woman (Olga)” (1923) from Louvre Abu Dhabi’s collection. Loans from Paris include “Woman Sitting in Front of the Window” (1937), offering insight into Picasso’s lifelong experimentation with form.
Alongside these major exhibitions, Louvre Abu Dhabi will present new immersive experiences, dynamic cultural programming, and educational initiatives designed to encourage dialogue and discovery.
From ancient empires to 20th-century masterpieces and contemporary expressions, the 2025–2026 season at Louvre Abu Dhabi promises a meaningful journey through time and imagination.
