We Visit the Louvre, Abu Dhabi

The Louvre Abu Dhabi provides a unique perspective on presenting the history of mankind. Here, everything is arranged chronologically, so you travel through time, rather than individual cultures. This results in an eclectic mix of artifacts and artworks ranging from Prehistoric times through to the world of today.

Walkway to the Louvre Museum, Abu Dhabi

Set on the edge of Saadiyat Island, the Louvre Abu Dhabi was designed by Jean Nouvel, a Pritzker Prize winning French architect. Although there are 55 separate buildings in the museum, all are sheltered by the enormous 180 metre “Rain of Light” dome, composed of 7,850 stars.

The “Rain of Light” Dome in the Louvre, Abu Dhabi

“Rain of Light” on visitors to the museum

There are 23 galleries in the museum, divided into 12 separate chapters, showing the similarities in the development of different cultures throughout history. They demonstrate that, whatever their perceived cultural differences, all mankind has a shared intuition leading to the development of civilization.

Although many of the exhibits are loaned from the Louvre, Paris, and from other museums, the Louvre Abu Dhabi has also begun collecting its own artifacts for display.

The galleries begin with the first village communities, when  beliefs and rituals bound people together in groups.

Monumental Statue with Two Heads, dating from about 6500 BC 

(Department of Antiquities, Jordan)

This two-headed statue is one of the oldest monuments in the history of man. It was discovered in  the Neolithic village of Ain Ghazal, Jordan. It is not clear whether these are two ancestors, or two divinities, but it shows there was a belief system in place at that time.

Gradually the first kingdoms appeared, when powerful individuals began to be revered. This happened in all parts of the world at a similar time.

 Together in the same gallery are the statues of Gudea, Prince of Lagash,

and Ramesses II, pharaoh of Egypt.

Although the Greeks in the 5th century were renowned for concentrating on the human figure in their art, other artists elsewhere preferred to focus on animals as their symbolic decorations.

A winged dragon from Northern China, 475-221 BC, Louvre Abu Dhabi,

and a weight in the form of a lion, from Iran, Susa, about 330 BC.

Kingdoms gradually gave way to empires from about 1,000 BC, on most continents. But despite their differences in beliefs, and the distances separating them, there are surprising similarities in their art-work. The following two statues, while exhibiting cultural differences, were both inspired by the Greek tradition of sculpture, evident in the folds of their robes.

The statue of the “Orator”, sculpted in Rome in the 1st century BC, and

The statue of the bodhisattva, which was produced during the same period in Gandhara.

Leaping forward to the 18th century, art became focused on the individual, especially monarchs and important leaders. Many artistic pieces strove to create an historical record of the time for perpetuity.

Portrait of George Washington, First President of the United States by Gilbert Stuart, 1822, and

Portrait of Voltaire, French writer and philosopher by Nicholas de Largilliere, 1718…

…and Napoléon Bonaparte, Crossing the Alps on 20 May 1800 by Jacques-Louis David, 1803

When photography began to become a popular way of recording images, it revolutionised artistic creation. Painters began changing the way they translated their vision onto canvas.

The Fife Player by Edouard Manet, 1866, Musée d’Orsay

Self-Portrait by Vincent van Gogh, 1887. Musée d’Orsay

The Louvre Abu Dhabi presents the history of art right up to the present time, in a variety of genres.

Chirisei Kyubiki by Kazuo Shiraga, Japan, 1960. Louvre Abu Dhabi

For this, the artist  put the canvas on the ground and painted it with his feet. The artist described it as a struggle between himself, colour, and matter.

 Fountain of Light by Ai Weiwei, 2016 Louvre Abu Dhabi

Food for Thought, Al Muallaqat by Maha Malluh, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Louvre Abu Dhabi

These eleven burned cooking pots were used to cook a traditional goat stew. For the artist, this is a visual poem, demonstrating the pots, blackened by fire, but retaining the imprint of the stories told during meal times in the nomadic tradition.

This is just a brief overview of all the Louvre museum, Abu Dhabi has to offer. It is an exciting way to present the history of the world through art, in a unique way, that brings together shared experiences and intuitions. I will definitely go again, and if you ever have the chance, you should too.

 Elizabeth Coughlan

Reflections on Abu Dhabi Part 2

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi

This beautiful architectural work of art is one the world’s largest mosques. It can accommodate 40,000 worshippers. There are 82 domes, and over a 1,000 columns, plus 24 carat gold gilded chandeliers and the world's largest hand knotted carpet. The mosque's first ceremony was the funeral of its namesake, Sheikh Zayed, who is buried at the site.

The Colonnade in the courtyard of Sheikh Zayed mosque in Abu Dhabi

Richly decorated columns in the courtyard of Sheikh Zayed mosque in Abu Dhabi

Another perspective of the mosque

Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Abu Dhabi

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Abu Dhabi, has beautifully landscaped gardens, fountains, and Venetian-inspired architecture. It is a luxury beach resort, located just across from the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

The pristine beach of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel

The Venetian Village, in the grounds of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel

The Venetian Village is a fairly new development in Abu Dhabi, renowned for its fine dining. It houses a collection of internationally acclaimed artisan restaurants offering internationally acclaimed global cuisines.

The Shangri-La Hotel Canal

The Shangri-La Hotel is on a winding waterway, where Arabic traditional boats, known as abras, slowly meander throughout the tranquil scenery. The canal links the hotel s with a souk, a traditional Arabian market, where you can buy traditional artifacts, paintings, jewellery and clothes.

Here are two random reflections, just because I happen to like them.

The hallway of the Eastern Mangroves Hotel

The pool where I swim every morning when I am in Abu Dhabi.

There is something so peaceful about reflections. Don’t you agree?

Elizabeth Coughlan

Reflections on Abu Dhabi Part 1

Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi reflected in the waters of the marina

I love visiting Abu Dhabi, as I find the architecture of this rapidly growing city, so interesting and innovative. Lately, I have been able to view the city from the water, thanks to my friends Billy and Lisa, who invite me out onto their boat trips. There are times, when the sea is calm, that the beauty of the buildings are reflected in the water. So this has become my latest project, “Reflections on Abu Dhabi”.

Buildings along the Corniche, a popular walkway along the edge of the sea.

The pointed towers in the background are the complex where Clare and Reg live. The Corniche is just a short walk away from them (as long as it’s not too hot to walk).

 Another view of the buildings along the Corniche

with beautiful reflections

Al Reem Island is developing quickly. 

I’m sure there is a completely new building in place every time I pass by

In addition to the modern architecture, 

there are new traditionally built houses too

This traditional architecture has a purpose in this hot, dry land

These traditional houses, reflected in the sea, have wind towers, or Barjeels. This is the traditional architecture found throughout the Arabian Gulf. In arid climates the wind tower acts as a ventilation system allowing hot air to rise out the top of it, and cooler directed winds to flow down into the home.

Le Méridien Hotel, Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi Mall and Beach Rotana Hotel, Abu Dhabi

These are just two of the many hotels with amazing beaches, in Abu Dhabi, that we sailed past on our boating trips. Great views, and a luxurious lifestyle: no wonder I love visiting Abu Dhabi.

Elizabeth Coughlan

Enjoying Our Time in South Africa

St Anne’s Diocesan College, South Africa - Grandparent’s Morning

We were so happy that our visit to South Africa coincided with Grandparent’s Morning at our granddaughter, Jessica’s, school. Our itinerant lifestyle doesn’t often coincide with events like this, although we do try to fit them in.

Our programme for the morning

The day began with all the visiting grandparents gathered together in the school chapel for a talk by the  Deputy Head, George Niven, followed by a music concert by the girls.

The choir sang, and the orchestra played such lovely music.

Our granddaughter, Jessica, played the flute. Here she is in the white jersey.

After the concert we were entertained with tea and cake

After morning tea, the grandparents were then taken on a tour of the school. We had already done this in the past, so we collected Jess, and took her off for the weekend to stay in Umhlanga, where she can relax and enjoy her own space away from boarding school.

 Another event we were able to attend, was the ‘Bring-Your-Own Supper Concert'.

 All the tables were beautifully laid out and decorated,

all we had to provide was the food and drink

As you can see, our meal was sushi, and red wine. Most delicious. While we were dining, the girls performed all sorts of music – both singing (in both Zulu and English) and all sorts of different instrumental groups. I was really impressed by the music department at the school. All the music was of a very high standard. Most enjoyable.

It was a very popular event…

…which finished with a medley of songs by the choir.

When we are in South Africa, we try to take Jess out as much as possible, to make up for her being so far from home. And also because we love spending time with her. She especially enjoys dining out, and her absolutely favourite place is Catch in Umhlanga Rocks.

Sushi is always top

Now we are back in Abu Dhabi, but we definitely aim to go back next year to spend more time with our eldest granddaughter. Thank you for making us happy, Jessica.

Elizabeth Coughlan