Treasures of the Al Thani Collection, the exhibition at Hôtel de la Marine

Following the opening of theHôtel de la Marine, the first temporary exhibition is now unveiled. As of November 18, 2021, Treasures from the Al Thani Collection awaits us in 4 galleries within the historic monument. Come and discover the treasures of this prince of the Qatari royal family, an art enthusiast and great patron of the arts.

Theprogram includes 120 exceptional works, ranging from antiquity to the 19th century. On display are major works of art from different civilizations, as well as works of joy from all ages and places.

These works are displayed in 4 galleries on the monument's second floor, in spaces that were once used as a warehouse for royal tapestries, when the building served as a Garde-Meuble. The spaces were designed by the Parisian architectural firm ATTA, headed by Tsuyoshi Tang.

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The Hôtel de la Marine building was originally designed to showcase the treasures of France's royal collections. Under Louis XVI, they were even open to the general public one Tuesday a month between April and November, making the Garde-Meuble de la Couronne the first museum in Paris.

The first gallery unveils 7 masterpieces illustrating human creativity across civilizations and testifying to the breadth of the collection, all in an incredible staging. These include a Pharaoh's head from the 18th Dynasty and agilded bronze sculpture of a bear from the Han Occidentax dynasty, 206 BC .

The second gallery presents 11 sculpted faces from different periods and places, but united by a common theme: the representation of the human image.Here, for example, we discover a chalcedony bust of the Emperor Hadrian, probably sculpted around 1240 in the court workshop of Emperor Frederick II of Hohenstaufen, who was crowned sovereign of the Holy Roman Empire in 1220.

Then it's on to the 3rd gallery, which reveals a wealth of ancient treasures. Vessels, jewels, battle treasures of all kinds. We discover, for example, a gold goblet from Marlik, north-west Iran (1100-900 BC). The visit to this area ends with the discovery of other treasures from the Collection, which will be renewed regularly.

The 4th gallery reveals the treasures of Islam. Manuscripts, ironwork, textiles, ceramics, glassware and jewelry - from all over the Muslim world, from the Umayyad Caliphate to the Mughal Empire - are on display.

A fabulous exhibition to discover exceptional pieces, we approve!