New DH calendar
Article posted: 9/23/2012 8:00 AM

Amid cultural clash, Louvre honors Islamic art

Buy this photo Buy this photo
next prev 2 of 3
   

A member of the media examines a ceramic tile wall displayed at the Louvre museum in Paris. The Louvre museum is unveiling its new wing and galleries dedicated to the arts of Islam, and new dragonfly shaped building marking the museum's greatest development since the iconic glass pyramid constructed 20 years ago.

Associated Press

Gallery Image

A 1st-century BC bronze of Bes, an Egyptian deity worshipped as a protector of households, is displayed at the Louvre museum in Paris

Associated Press

A member of the media takes snapshots of a ceramic tile wall displayed at the Louvre museum in Paris. The Islamic art collection's mission is to foster understanding between the West and the Muslim world.

Associated Press

About this Article

In its boldest development in a generation, the Louvre Museum has a new wing dedicated to Islamic art, a project that comes at a tense time between the West and the Muslim world. Louvre curators tout their new Islamic Art department, which took 11 years to build and opened to the public on Saturday, as a way to help bridge cultural divides. They say it offers a highbrow and respectful counterpart to the recent unflattering depictions of the Prophet Muhammad in Western media that have sparked protests by many Muslims.